Ningbo Shangri-La Hotel

Ningbo, China

The prominent site at the confluence of the three rivers in the city of Ningbo inspires a building of poetic simplicity. The design explores the building as a symbol of the movement of water. This stream of water, resembling successions of waves, runs from the façade of the northern tower through the hotel lobby and subtly lands itself on the undulating roof of the podium banquet hall. The series of ripples finally dissipates to the garden and the courtyard and eventually to the three rivers fronting the site.

The curvilinear shape of the tower allows the guestrooms the utmost frontage to the rivers. The podium at the southern end anchors the hotel tower and opens itself to a landscaped open space fronting the rivers, creating an organic dialogue with the openness of the cityscape and waterscape beyond.