London Design Gold

2025

voco Xishuangbanna Gaozhuang

Entrant Company

WE Design

Category

Interior Design - Hotels & Resorts

Client's Name

Xishuangbanna Tianjun Enterprise Management Co., Ltd.

Country / Region

China

voco Xishuangbanna Gaozhuang draws inspiration from the wonders of the tropical rainforest. With modern spatial design as its form and Dai-Thai architectural aesthetics as its soul, the hotel harmoniously blends cultural heritage with contemporary design, creating an immersive living space that rekindles a profound dialogue between people and nature.

Reinterpreting traditional motifs through the contemporary narrative thread of "Pulse of the Rainforest," the hotel redefines cultural legacy. The design team reimagined classic elements—layered arches, Dai brocade patterns, peacock feathers, and elephant-foot drum motifs—crafting a spatial language that preserves cultural depth while embracing modern aesthetics. Each spatial unit employs a unique visual vocabulary to forge an emotional connection between guests and the natural surroundings.

Overcoming the constraints of the original site, the team transformed the terrace into a 270° panoramic platform suspended above the Gaozhuang Scenic Area. This vantage point not only offers breathtaking sunset views over the Mekong River and the Grand Golden Pagoda but also serves as a serene retreat for urban souls to meditate.

The design narrative unfolds through diverse materials: colonnades, screen dividers, decorative art glass, and bespoke lighting fixtures. By harnessing natural light and shadow, sunlight filters through the curving colonnades by day, casting intricate patterns on the floors. At night, ambient lighting intertwines with curated soundscapes, enveloping the space in an aura of relaxation and vitality.

Guest rooms embody a "nature-inspired healing" concept, balancing privacy with spatial coherence. Floor-to-ceiling windows and private balconies optimize natural light while deepening the immersive experience. The color palette features voco’s signature vibrant yellow and peacock blue, creating a bold contrast that mirrors the daring hues of Dai brocade and reflects the brand’s youthful energy. Traditional craftsmanship—such as Dai bronze drum patterns and rattan weaving—is reinterpreted through contemporary materials, achieving a harmonious fusion of heritage and modernity.

Credits

WE Design
Leo Yang Xun
WE Design
Shen Hu
WE Design
Xiong Yu
WE Design
Zhang Tuo
WE Design
Quan Xiaoqin
WE Design
Zhou Tao
WE Design
Yang Li
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