The Silk Lakehouse, Shangri-La Hangzhou
A Contemporary Dialogue within a UNESCO Heritage Site
LOCATION
Hangzhou, China
SIZE
19,303 sqm
DATE COMPLETED
2025
PHOTOGRAPHER
RAWVISION studio
In 2019, Kokaistudios was commissioned by Shangri-La Hotel Hangzhou to lead the site planning and architectural renovation of both the East Wing and Wellness Centre. Set within a UNESCO-designated cultural landscape, the project extends the studio’s long-standing commitment to heritage preservation. Upholding a landscape-first approach, the team introduced a series of innovative strategies at key architectural junctures, redefining spatial order using contemporary architectural language and contributing a new chapter to the living legacy of this World Heritage site.
In 2019, Kokaistudios was commissioned by Shangri-La Hotel Hangzhou to lead the site planning and architectural renovation of both the East Wing and Wellness Centre. Set within a UNESCO-designated cultural landscape, the project extends the studio’s long-standing commitment to heritage preservation. Upholding a landscape-first approach, the team introduced a series of innovative strategies at key architectural junctures, redefining spatial order using contemporary architectural language and contributing a new chapter to the living legacy of this World Heritage site.
In accordance with technical resolutions established during expert consultations, the design team adopted a “top-floors reduction and massing decompression” strategy for the East Wing: the original seven-storey structure was partially dismantled, removing the sixth and seventh floors while simultaneously restoring the original roofline. The intervention significantly eased the building’s visual impact on the cultural landscape of West Lake. The project carefully restructured spatial logic and circulation, thoughtfully reallocating the functions of the removed floors to the lower levels.
In accordance with technical resolutions established during expert consultations, the design team adopted a “top-floors reduction and massing decompression” strategy for the East Wing: the original seven-storey structure was partially dismantled, removing the sixth and seventh floors while simultaneously restoring the original roofline. The intervention significantly eased the building’s visual impact on the cultural landscape of West Lake. The project carefully restructured spatial logic and circulation, thoughtfully reallocating the functions of the removed floors to the lower levels.
The design reoriented the hotel’s main vehicle drop-off, shifting it from the north to the south side, and accordingly reorganized the spatial sequence of the ground floor lobby. By deconstructing the formerly enclosed Wellness Centre, the project introduced a semi-subterranean swimming pool that opens fluidly toward the surrounding natural landscape. A carefully integrated skylight system brings daylight deep into the interior, enhancing both the physical environment and psychological comfort of the underground space.
The design reoriented the hotel’s main vehicle drop-off, shifting it from the north to the south side, and accordingly reorganized the spatial sequence of the ground floor lobby. By deconstructing the formerly enclosed Wellness Centre, the project introduced a semi-subterranean swimming pool that opens fluidly toward the surrounding natural landscape. A carefully integrated skylight system brings daylight deep into the interior, enhancing both the physical environment and psychological comfort of the underground space.
While respecting the original architectural character, the design reimagined the facade’s signature geometric language and refined its texture. A rigorously researched color palette ensured that the renovated facade retained the material depth of the historic structure while offering a harmonious visual experience. Window proportions were meticulously calibrated to frame exterior views with photographic precision, creating a facade that mediates subtly between contemporary appeal and historical memory.
While respecting the original architectural character, the design reimagined the facade’s signature geometric language and refined its texture. A rigorously researched color palette ensured that the renovated facade retained the material depth of the historic structure while offering a harmonious visual experience. Window proportions were meticulously calibrated to frame exterior views with photographic precision, creating a facade that mediates subtly between contemporary appeal and historical memory.
In this milestone renovation, Kokaistudios upheld a landscape-first approach rooted in respect for historical heritage. Through precise spatial analysis and carefully measured interventions, the team introduced a series of innovative strategies at key architectural junctures. Drawing from the essence of the original building, the design redefined spatial order using contemporary architectural language, achieving a refined balance between visual elegance and functional performance.
In this milestone renovation, Kokaistudios upheld a landscape-first approach rooted in respect for historical heritage. Through precise spatial analysis and carefully measured interventions, the team introduced a series of innovative strategies at key architectural junctures. Drawing from the essence of the original building, the design redefined spatial order using contemporary architectural language, achieving a refined balance between visual elegance and functional performance.
In 2019, Kokaistudios was commissioned by Shangri-La Hotel Hangzhou to lead the site planning and architectural renovation of both the East Wing and Wellness Centre. Set within a UNESCO-designated cultural landscape, the project extends the studio’s long-standing commitment to heritage preservation. Upholding a landscape-first approach, the team introduced a series of innovative strategies at key architectural junctures, redefining spatial order using contemporary architectural language and contributing a new chapter to the living legacy of this World Heritage site.
In accordance with technical resolutions established during expert consultations, the design team adopted a “top-floors reduction and massing decompression” strategy for the East Wing: the original seven-storey structure was partially dismantled, removing the sixth and seventh floors while simultaneously restoring the original roofline. The intervention significantly eased the building’s visual impact on the cultural landscape of West Lake. The project carefully restructured spatial logic and circulation, thoughtfully reallocating the functions of the removed floors to the lower levels.
The design reoriented the hotel’s main vehicle drop-off, shifting it from the north to the south side, and accordingly reorganized the spatial sequence of the ground floor lobby. By deconstructing the formerly enclosed Wellness Centre, the project introduced a semi-subterranean swimming pool that opens fluidly toward the surrounding natural landscape. A carefully integrated skylight system brings daylight deep into the interior, enhancing both the physical environment and psychological comfort of the underground space.
While respecting the original architectural character, the design reimagined the facade’s signature geometric language and refined its texture. A rigorously researched color palette ensured that the renovated facade retained the material depth of the historic structure while offering a harmonious visual experience. Window proportions were meticulously calibrated to frame exterior views with photographic precision, creating a facade that mediates subtly between contemporary appeal and historical memory.
In this milestone renovation, Kokaistudios upheld a landscape-first approach rooted in respect for historical heritage. Through precise spatial analysis and carefully measured interventions, the team introduced a series of innovative strategies at key architectural junctures. Drawing from the essence of the original building, the design redefined spatial order using contemporary architectural language, achieving a refined balance between visual elegance and functional performance.
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