The spirit behind Ahn Luh Guantang Resorts and Residence, a lifestyle haven located near Qiandao Lake in Chengdu, China, is one where tranquility goes beyond a state of mind to become its own tangible universe. Surrounded by retail and F&B haunts, the hotel is hidden behind a discreet entrance and deeply rooted in west Sichuan style, thanks to Singapore-based SAY Design and architecture firm Sichuan Huatai Zhongcheng Engineering Design.

To reflect a modern lifestyle, the design teams eschewed the traditional Chuan Xi vernacular of gray brick and white walls. While stone and wood dominate the property, “we chose to keep these finishes in their natural state as much as possible so that the spaces feel simple yet elegant,” SAY Design cofounder Shaun Yeo explains. A neutral color palette enhances that choice, while “carved wooden lattice panels were strategically designed to divide spaces and to bring about a sense of place for guests,” he points out.

Plentiful dark wood and ceramics give the spa arrival area a sense of warmth

Still, it’s the use of strategic lighting, courtesy of PROL, that brings the design together. The concept of “hidden light” enhances the hotel’s soothing ambiance. Casting a moody yellow glow, the fixtures, especially the outdoor lanterns, “make the hotel blend with the surrounding natural environment and create a quiet atmosphere, which allows everyone who comes here to forget the fetters of life and relax,” says PROL cofounder Li Hui.

Not only does the lighting delineate a spatial hierarchy, it also provides an unassuming artful elegance. Throughout the resort, “it does not reveal itself, nor is it noisy, but quietly and subtly hides in the space and objects,” says Hui.

Consider the lobby, where a flowing light highlights stone piers and paneling or the backlit wood grill in the banquet hall that radiates drama. Wall lanterns in the all-day dining restaurant mimic old Sichuan mansions, and in the spa and pool areas, lighting blurs the line between indoor and out. Meanwhile, in the 84 villas, a warm glow from recessed lighting and understated table lamps illuminates thatched roofs, loam walls, wooden beams, and carved doors.

“In a resort project, every space needs to evoke a sense of continuity throughout,” says Yeo. As such, he and his team intended to “make each space beautiful, comfortable, soothing, and fit for its purpose,” he adds, crafting a harmonious sanctuary that invites guests to unwind and stay awhile.

 

This article originally appeared in HD’s April 2022 issue.