Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design

Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, FacadeSincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior PhotographySincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, ConcreteSincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, FacadeSincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - More Images+ 30

  • Architects: Benzhe Design
  • Area Area of this architecture project Area:  1280
  • Year Completion year of this architecture project Year:  2020
  • Photographs
    Photographs:Shengliang Su
  • Lead Architect: Huajian Jiang
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Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography
The southweast wall. Image © Shengliang Su

Text description provided by the architects. This project is located at the foot of Nanchan Temple in Wuxi, among a cluster of civilian houses near Qingming Bridge at the bank of an ancient canal; hence the name “Sincere Hotel ,Wuxi”. With the changes of times and the renewal of city, Benzhe deconstructs the new meaning of guesthouse architecture while inheriting the essence of historical and cultural heritage.

Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography
Exterior viwe. Image © Shengliang Su

At its original site is a typical traditional “three-entry” courtyard, which is lower in the front and higher in the back with a conservative style. The old architecture is closed in its surrounding, with relatively poor indoor lighting and safety hazards hidden in its narrow corridor. After transformation, the primitive simplicity and elegance of this southern-style courtyard has been preserved—white walls and black tiles are still there and water flows beneath a little bridge, while more open space has been added. Modern design elements including iron rust plate, simple floor-to-ceiling glass and unique guidance system have endowed this ancient mansion with new vitality. 

Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Image 31 of 35
First floor plan

Thick cob walls at the main entrance are demolished to set aside two spaces on the left and right, while the box-like space formed by floor-to-ceiling windows extends forward, which gives the previously flat entrance a layered sense. Fine wood grilled windows have replaced the closed and gloomy old windows, and a unity of opposites is formed between its transformed front façade and the cluster of old civilian houses. 

Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Facade
Main entrance. Image © Shengliang Su
Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Concrete, Door
The northeast wall. Image © Shengliang Su

The concrete three-way box casted as a whole at the front entrance connects reception, diner and courtyard. The diner consists of tatami, seats for individual customers and water bar, and has an open and layered view.

Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Interior Photography, Wood
Reception area. Image © Shengliang Su

During the creation of the passage from reception to rooms, two mutually independent paths are cleverly designed. The inner path runs from reception to diner, and then makes a detour to rooms, which leaves the impression of a winding path leading to a secluded quiet place. The outer path goes directly from reception to rooms behind the second entrance, and sinks below the water surface, thus resulting in the illusion of people walking in water. The teahouse floating on water creates a real sense of reclusion and serenity. 

Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Interior Photography, Column
The inner path. Image © Shengliang Su
Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Concrete
The outer path. Image © Shengliang Su

After the second entrance is the guestroom area of hotel. The original lotus pond is retained in the courtyard, and the walkway is widened to leave enough space around the pond for frolicking and watching fish. The guesthouse has 16 rooms of varied styles, which encircle this charming aquatic courtyard like 16 lustrous pearls. The rooms are named 「Su」, 「Fan」, 「Bo」, 「Ze」, 「Han」, 「Hao」, 「Run」, 「Yang」, 「Zhan」, 「Hong」, 「Du」, 「Tian」, 「Yi」, 「Dan」, 「Che」 and 「Cheng」, which are all characters with the “water” radical. Water is intelligent, and also the source of life; to observe water is to look into heart.

Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Stairs, Courtyard
Yard. Image © Shengliang Su
Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Facade
The inner path. Image © Shengliang Su
Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography, Concrete
Backyard. Image © Shengliang Su

Featuring plain white rock wall, dark brown log and Cycladic-style arch, [Su] and[Du] are retro and nostalgic, leaving a unique imprint on the space.

Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Interior Photography, Bedroom, Wood, Bed
Room "Su". Image © Shengliang Su
Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Interior Photography, Wood, Bed
Room "Su". Image © Shengliang Su

[Run] and [Yang] are two loft-style duplexes of the hotel. The contrast between frosted stainless steel and log and primitive naked wall as well as the rhythmic ordering of space reflect the sense of order of deconstructionism. Besides, [Yang] has shown great ingenuity in creating a suspended mesh-like rest area, which appears novel and unique and makes an interesting experience.

Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Interior Photography, Beam
Guest room. Image © Shengliang Su
Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Interior Photography, Bedroom, Wood, Bed
Guest room. Image © Shengliang Su

Based on industrial style, [Fan] and[Hong] convey a restrained and coldly elegant sense of beauty with neat lines, naked walls of original color and metal, while geometric shapes and constitutive property constitute a neutral and pure space experience, which is rough and unconventional yet with no lack of fineness.

Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Interior Photography, Stairs, Handrail
Loft-style. Image © Shengliang Su
Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Interior Photography, Stairs, Concrete, Beam, Brick
Loft-style. Image © Shengliang Su

The transformed backyard has unique interest and charm; the Zen of Japanese rock garden creates an indifferent and tranquil atmosphere. The new concrete wall and staircase linked up to the original gable are naked and cold. As one ascends the stairs, sunlight comes in through round holes, which brings out the greatest beauty of light and shadow.

Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design - Exterior Photography
Balcony details. Image © Shengliang Su

Originating from history and returning to nature, Sincere Hotel,Wuxi,creates a realm of harmony and mutual understanding between architecture, mankind and nature.

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Project location

Address:135 South Xiatang Street, Liangxi District, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Sincere Hotel / Benzhe Architecture Design" 24 Apr 2020. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/938006/sincere-hotel-benzhe-architecture-design> ISSN 0719-8884

The southweast wall. Image © Shengliang Su

挚舍南禅观水酒店 / 本哲建筑

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