Tucked away in southwest China, close to the stunning Jiuzhai Valley, Hotel Indigo Jiuzhai by CCD / Cheng Chung Design (HK) for CGDG takes inspiration from Tibetan cultural objects and symbolism, creating an atmosphere for guests to connect with the past and themselves.
“Zhongcha” is a transliteration of its Tibetan name, which means “the place where the divine eagle flies down.”
A legend goes that the huge divine eagle ridden by King Gesar soared into the air looking for a place to perch, but only the God of Baijian Mountain was strong enough to bear the its weight.
As a result, the divine eagle fell down here for a rest, and this place hence got its name.
Hotel Indigo Jiuzhai is situated in the heart of the tourism complex Luneng BC in Zhongcha Valley, close to Jiuzhai Valley, Fairy Pool and many other breathtaking scenic areas.
Taking “Tibetan Collection” as the theme, CCD extracts unique elements from local lifestyle and art, such as woodcut print, Qiang embroidery, yak and fire pit, and meanwhile gives a new interpretation of Tibetan lifestyle and Indigo’s concept of offering neighborhood experience through elaborate designs.
The hotel’s interior, incorporated with many local Tibetan elements, is like an open museum collecting Tibetan cultural heritages.
Artworks in the form of yak and eagle showcase local typical cultural elements, carrying a sense of cohesion and identity of local ethnic people.
“With plain, natural design expressions, we hope to create a harmonious environment, which meets people’s spiritual needs of cultural and psychological identity over the course of long history while satisfying contemporary functional demands,” the CCD team explains.
The design of the lobby simulates the viewing angle of the divine eagle.
The higher the divine eagle flies, the higher the lobby’s ceiling tends to be. As walking inside, the guests’ view gradually broadens.
The reception desk is hidden behind the right side of the fire pit.
The fire pit featuring Tibetan and Qiang ethnic elements highlights the local culture, and carpet, chairs, suspended lamps and decorations around perfectly complement it.
Pure wood combined with Tibetan totems reveals natural textures and produces a relaxing ambience.
The fire pit, closely tied to Tibetan people’ daily life and activities, has gradually been endowed with multiple functions, hence forming distinctive fire pit culture with strong ethnic characteristics.
In the lobby bar, CCD presents traditional Tibetan fire pit through modern expressions, to reproduce a life scene that people drink tea and chat around stove, which responds to the locals’ traditional lifestyle.
The eagle-shaped artwork with a faint blue glow on the wall is inspired by the water of Fairy Pool.
Taking a closer look, the guests will find that it’s made up of hundreds of photos, each of which reflects Tibetan life and culture typical to Amdo region.
Various elements, such as the feathers of eagle, natural colors and textures, embody the rich, characteristic ethnic culture of local Tibetan and Qiang people.
The space portrays a scene that the divine eagle spreads its wings and soars into the sky.
Traditional Tibetan painting art, including Thang-ga (religious scroll paintings mounted on colorful satin for worship) and murals, is famous both at home and abroad for delicate drawing techniques and gorgeous hues.
It has distinct ethnic characteristics, strong religious overtones and unique artistic style.
Drawing inspiration from the habitat of the divine eagle, CCD fuses elements of traditional Tibetan aristocratic mansions into guestrooms through modern design techniques, subtly expressing Amdo region’s Tibetan culture.
The asymmetrical backdrop behind the headboard is decorated with local unique ethnic patterns in the form of Qiang embroidery and Tibetan Thang-ga paintings, echoing wood carvings, brocades and murals in the room.
Wardrobe, hand-washing sink and mini bar counter are integrated into a whole, together forming a transitional area whilst saving space.
The open bathroom is separated from the bedroom through four sliding doors, which greatly improves spatial utilization rate.
Project: Hotel Indigo Jiuzhai
Architects: CCD / Cheng Chung Design (HK)
Lighting design: CCD / Cheng Chung Design (HK)
Art consulting: CCD · WOWU Art Consultancy
Client: CGDG
Photographers: Wang Ting, Qiu Xin
