Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) has collaborated with Italian architect Ettore Sottsass and his firm Sottsass Associati to design the Artyen Sifang Recreation Center in the capital of China’s Jiangsu province. Slated for arrival next month, the project will debut as one of 22 buildings that comprise the China International Practical Exhibition of Architecture (CIPEA).
The hillside project will be situated beside a lake, complementing the serene scenery with a geometric design that employs both primary shapes and colors, among other Sottsass signatures. These elements are translated inside through details like irregular wall gridlines, warm white stucco, and geometric rugs. Ranging from 460 to 850 square feet, all 22 rooms are crafted with lightness and spaciousness, punctuated with walk-in wardrobes and five bathrooms appointed with freestanding bathtubs.
Nearly 10,800 square feet, the onsite wellness center is endowed with an indoor pool, a fitness center, and spa suites. The property’s singular F&B option is a platformed bar equipped with outdoor space that immerses visitors in the natural setting.
“This is a one-of-a-kind project, unique in so many different ways,” says HBA principal David T’Kint. “Not just a hotel—an experience—driven by remarkable architecture that is not just about design. All the buildings somehow embrace the natural surroundings and each unit is unique and has its own narrative.”
