Introduction
Wild Pear Tree Hotel is a boutique hotel renovation project developed in close response to the client’s preferences, the surrounding landscape, and a limited construction budget. The design prioritizes restraint and continuity, aiming to achieve spatial richness through atmosphere rather than extensive structural intervention.
The project integrates exterior scenery into the interior experience by carefully framing views, adjusting spatial proportions, and emphasizing natural light. Inspired by the relaxed and sun-washed qualities of Southern French interiors, the design adopts a warm, muted palette and tactile materials to create a calm and intimate environment.
To maximize value within a constrained budget, the original structure and material character of the building were largely preserved. Existing materials were retained where possible, and in other cases reinterpreted and reintroduced through redesigned surfaces and details. Rather than replacing elements, the project focuses on reworking and layering them to maintain a sense of authenticity.
Custom-designed furniture was introduced to complement the architectural language, ensuring coherence between space, material, and use. Through these strategies, the project explores how thoughtful design can balance economy, context, and comfort in a hospitality setting.
The project integrates exterior scenery into the interior experience by carefully framing views, adjusting spatial proportions, and emphasizing natural light. Inspired by the relaxed and sun-washed qualities of Southern French interiors, the design adopts a warm, muted palette and tactile materials to create a calm and intimate environment.
To maximize value within a constrained budget, the original structure and material character of the building were largely preserved. Existing materials were retained where possible, and in other cases reinterpreted and reintroduced through redesigned surfaces and details. Rather than replacing elements, the project focuses on reworking and layering them to maintain a sense of authenticity.
Custom-designed furniture was introduced to complement the architectural language, ensuring coherence between space, material, and use. Through these strategies, the project explores how thoughtful design can balance economy, context, and comfort in a hospitality setting.
Site
No. 268, Dongmei Village, Liushui Town, Pingtan County, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, China
Site Challenges
Strategy
Climatic Challenges & The View Paradox
Extreme humidity and salt spray pose significant threats to materials (concrete, wood).
Large fixed glass for views creates solar gain, conflicting with natural ventilation needs
Extreme humidity and salt spray pose significant threats to materials (concrete, wood).
Large fixed glass for views creates solar gain, conflicting with natural ventilation needs
View, Ventilation & Vertical Zoning
Decouple sea views from ventilation by combining large fixed glazing with separate operable windows or concealed vents. To avoid ground-level dampness, place all guest rooms on the second and third floors, and reserve the first floor for lobby, service, or shared functions.
Decouple sea views from ventilation by combining large fixed glazing with separate operable windows or concealed vents. To avoid ground-level dampness, place all guest rooms on the second and third floors, and reserve the first floor for lobby, service, or shared functions.
Small Rooms, High Ceilings
Small individual room areas due to existing grid
Unusually high ceilings(12.5 feet) are a defining trait.
Lofted Efficiency in Compact Rooms
Use lofted room configurations to make the most of limited floor area. Reduce nonessential functions and prioritize the basic spatial experience, ensuring that compact rooms still feel comfortable, efficient, and livable.
Use lofted room configurations to make the most of limited floor area. Reduce nonessential functions and prioritize the basic spatial experience, ensuring that compact rooms still feel comfortable, efficient, and livable.
Families, Friends & Couples
The primary guests are families and groups of friends who need flexible sleeping arrangements (like twin beds). Couples also visit for romantic getaways and require a private atmosphere (king beds).
Using Vertical Space for Flexible Room Types
Create diverse and flexible room types for families, friends, and couples. Tatami-style raised platforms improve child safety and support adaptable sleeping and living arrangements.
Create diverse and flexible room types for families, friends, and couples. Tatami-style raised platforms improve child safety and support adaptable sleeping and living arrangements.
Acoustic & Indoor Nature
Poor sound insulation in existing structures, and a large central atrium can amplify noise.
Site lacks sufficient external grounds.
Site lacks sufficient external grounds.
Transforming the Atrium into a Quiet Landscape
Bring natural experience into the atrium and turn it into a calm, reading-like space that encourages quiet behavior. Move louder programs, including dining, lounge, and reception, out of the atrium and group them together to separate active and quiet zones.
Bring natural experience into the atrium and turn it into a calm, reading-like space that encourages quiet behavior. Move louder programs, including dining, lounge, and reception, out of the atrium and group them together to separate active and quiet zones.
Material Board
Plan
Before
After
Other Photos
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