Designed by Shanghai-based Joseph Wong Design Associates (JWDA), the first Hyatt eco-resort in China and the first 5-Star, low-density hotel in Shanghai draws inspiration from its site—the largest nature conservation area on China’s coastline.

“Preserving the identity of this region was vital to the design, and overall success, of the hotel,” says Joseph Wong, founder and president of JWDA. “People and nature coexist harmoniously, reflected in the hotel’s master plan by a series of courtyards and walkways.”

The wood portion of the resort’s structure serves as a symbol of traditional Chinese architecture, while concrete elements represent modern architecture.

Local landscaping elements, the use of recycled materials, and operable windows to encourage natural ventilation are a few of the features that make the Hyatt Regency Chongming Hotel environmentally friendly.

Characterized by white walls, gray tiles, and pedestrian bridges, the traditional Jiangnan architectural style, popular to the region, permeates the property’s design.

“The design for the eco-resort hotel creates a synergy between modern culture and Chinese village characteristics, ranging from materiality and environmental considerations to the historic Jiangnan style,” says Wong.

Although driven by Jiangnan ideology, the hotel balances traditional form and contemporary function with Western amenities, including restaurants, a fitness center, and several meeting rooms.

“In the end, a combination of nature, traditional Chinese architecture, and Western influences contribute to the overall essence of the Hyatt Regency Chongming Hotel,” says Wong.