EASTGATE HOTEL: A New Paradigm in Hangzhou's Architectural Landscape

In the ever-evolving realm of interior design and architectural solutions, there lies the challenge of not just creating spaces, but crafting experiences. When one is presented with the canvas of a city as historically rich and dynamically modern as Hangzhou, the responsibility is not just to design, but to innovate, to reimagine, and to inspire.

Hangzhou, a city that seamlessly marries its ancient heritage with its thrust towards the future, sought to add another jewel to its urban crown. The task at hand was monumental: to conceptualize a landmark mixed-use hotel and office building, right next to the city's newly minted high-speed railway station. A place that would not just be a building, but a symbol, a statement of Hangzhou's aspirations and its reverence for its past.

The conventional approach in China's urban architectural landscape often leans towards the plinth and tower model. But for a city that prides itself on its uniqueness, the conventional would simply not do. The challenge was to think beyond the established, to invert the norms, and to craft a narrative that was as much about the city's future as it was about its storied past.

Our vision for the Eastgate Hotel was rooted in this very philosophy. Instead of elevating the towers on a plinth, we chose to ground them, to root them firmly in the city's fabric. This not only allowed for a more activated pedestrian and urban zone but also created distinct identities for each tower. One tower gracefully welcomed guests into the luxurious confines of the hotel, while the other seamlessly integrated the dynamism of a modern office space.

The true innovation lay in the plinth's transformation. Instead of being a mere foundation, it was elevated, transformed into a bridge that not only connected the two towers but also became a realm of shared experiences. This bridge became the heart of the Eastgate, housing a state-of-the-art conference centre, exquisite restaurants, chic bars, and grand ballrooms. Each space within this bridge was designed to offer breathtaking views of Hangzhou's skyline and the serene countryside beyond, making it a vantage point like no other.

The hotel's interior design was a masterclass in luxury and elegance. With 200 rooms meticulously organized around a grand central atrium, every guest was offered a visual journey that connected the earth to the sky, a continuum of Hangzhou's essence. The atrium, with its play of light and shadow, became a living testament to the city's spirit, a space where the past, present, and future converged.

The architectural solution of the inverted plinth gave the Eastgate Hotel its iconic gate-like form. It wasn't just a building; it was a gateway, an entrance to Hangzhou's soul. So profound was its impact that the municipality affectionately christened it the 'Hangzhou Gate'.

In essence, the Eastgate Hotel stands as a beacon of what is possible when architectural solutions and interior design come together with a shared vision. It's not just a hotel; it's a narrative, a story of a city that looks to the future while honouring its past.

​TEAM
Lukasz Kos
Andrei Zerebecky
June Chuang
Danni Li