Unlike hotel chains which offer the homogeneously styled hotels, Wanchai 88 Hotel aims for a more restrained, organized and individual design approach. It stands out with the Chinese inspiration with comfort and efficiency. Avoiding the decorative clichés or unnecessary gestures, the design of the spaces to every individual element has a reason behind. It is not a representation of the Chinese culture in a context where tradition artifacts have lost their meaning. Giving them an unexpected new interpretive is a way to cope with the lifestyle of a mixed clientele who looks for exclusivity.

The Lattice Lounge

To deal with a high-headroom space with gigantic window panes while lacking a stunning view may be challenging. Functionally, the space needs a filter. Style-wise, the space needs an icon. Reflecting the same lattice idea on the building facade, the screen wall here is downscaled and made from 250 abacuses, the traditional Chinese calculation tool, serving as the signature of the all-in-one lounge for guest reception and refreshment. In front of it on the floor are patches of marble art featuring the floral paper-cutting graphics. Deliberately worked with abstraction, the lounge offsets the expectation in Chinese aesthetics.

The Mystery Box

Small space can be dramatic. The lift is doubled as a tiny black box showcasing a single piece of artwork. The artwork, in vermillion red, is customized from parts of Qing Dynasty antique chairs and resembled to form the handrail.

The Corridor Gallery

The whole project doesn’t even have one Chinese painting hanging on the wall.  Instead, art appears in the otherwise stark corridor on each floor where doors turn paintings. The laser-cutting technology is at play here showcasing a collection of bird-and-flower ink sketches and are engraved on every guest room door.

The Treasure Box

If smallness is one of the common “exotic” qualities in the Hong Kong hotel scene, the planning of each room promotes a sublime balance between functionality, convenience and comfort regardless of the size of the spaces. The Guest rooms offer the enjoyment with enormous efficiency which defines a new interpretation of business lodging. Bathroom is never a cramped cubicle but a glowing lantern with huge natural light-filled shower. Combo furniture blends work, refreshment and storage. Exposed vanity counter as in tradition Chinese bedroom. Windows become a big picture frame. Drawing reference from the spatial transition in vernacular houses, the drama of the bigger rooms lies in the set of sliding screens as room divider between the bedroom and the living space.