Extreme Odyssey Focus: Vue Hotel

Continuing with our Color Trends 2019, we are focusing on designs that explore the color and design of the "Extreme Odyssey" Trend. Designs within realm attempt to address the influences of technology, context and vernaculars on architecture, and challenge conventional architectural practice and explore original paths of thought and develop innovative design tools and methodologies.

VUE hotel

Undertaken as a major adaptive-reuse exercise, Ministry of Design’s VUE Hotel in Houhai Beijing comprises a series of artistically transformed quasi-historic buildings from the 1950’s. This intriguing hotel compound includes a series of landscaped gardens, a bakery café fronting the bustle of the Hutong streets, a signature restaurant in a warehouse, a rooftop bar overlooking the lake, a gym and over 80 rooms and suites, several with private gardens or with views overlooking the park or lake.

Hotel entry

Although designed primarily in the Chinese vernacular, the different buildings span a range of ornamentation from highly decorative roof eaves, characterful gargoyles, sculptured balconies and latticed window frames, to pared-back jack roofs and plain brick work wall finishes.

FAB café and bakery

Upon arrival, the guest experience first begins at one of VUE Hotel’s social hubs: the FAB café and bakery. This casual and vibrant venue’s design approach draws from characteristics of the street front in its use of materials and color accents, including pale pinks and warm wood tones.

The Pink Rabbit Restaurant

Housed at the Lakeside-edge of the hotel compound in a former warehouse building, VUE boasts the signature Pink Rabbit restaurant and rooftop bar. Upon approaching the restaurant from the adjacent courtyard, guests encounter a whimsical installation atop the building’s roof of 2 gigantic wireframe rabbits. On the interior, the exposed metal & wood trusses, open display kitchen, lounge style seating paired with a feature bar and DJ counter, contribute to the overall upbeat vibe.

The Pink Rabbit Restaurant

Guest room

When conceptualizing the essence of its hotel rooms, the brand decided to celebrate innovative spatial design with locally inspired culture and imagery. Spaces are unexpectedly divided with the use of colors, tones and materials, whilst installation art in every room continue the hotel’s overarching narrative. Dramatic bath spaces complement restful sleeping spaces.

guest room bathroom

For more information on VUE Hotel, visit http://www.vuehotels.com.cn/houhai//

All Photographs Used with Permission. All photos courtesy of Ministry of Design