Project name: Banyan Tree Nanjing Garden Expo

Client: Nanjing Garden Expo

Location: Nanjing Garden Expo, Jiangsu

Art consulting: CCD · WOWU Art Consultancy

Area: 35,000 square meters

Completion time: October 2021

Photography: Wang Ting

Photo copyrights: CCD

Scars left by time

With sun rising, mists clearing, mountains growing and water dropping, every interaction between man and nature would leave marks, some of which have become the evidence of great civilization while others may become "scars" on the land that cannot be ignored.

Banyan Tree Nanjing Garden Expo is a luxury hotel located on Tangshan Mountain, which was once a paradise dense with clouds and mists. However, the exploitation and destruction by humans have stripped its vegetation, changed the geography, eroded the soil, and damaged landscape, turning Tangshan Mountain into devastated industrial ruins.

It has become imperative to beautify and restore the site to enable the symbiosis of human and nature.

Break through the "cocoon" for rebirth, rebuild a mysterious wonderland in the quarry valley

With a long-abandoned quarry as the hotel’s site, the first priority of the project was ecological restoration.

CCD deconstructed and reshaped various elements such as light, stones, forest, and rain on the abandoned limestone quarry.

In this way, a new mysterious wonderland is created in the former quarry valley.

Cocoon symbolizes the end of the old form, but also the origin of a new life.

From the outside to the inside, the cocoon is about accumulation; from the inside to the outside, it is about breaking, rebirth, and sublimation. Space design is the process of breaking the cocoon and rebirth, to let imagination metamorphose into the art of living.

Life originates from nature. For this project, the spiritual pursuit and artistic imagination of space are inspired by the "conception - breaking through cocoon – rebirth" cycle of life.

CCD compared the whole architecture and space to a "cocoon" that nurtures new life, and presented the vitality and tension of "cocoon break and rebirth" with a minimalist, modern design language. The form of the "cocoon" is deconstructed and evolved to respond to nature.

"Cocoon" is the main form in the unified spatial context. With simple lines and layered weaved bamboo elements, the space seems to return to the origin of human beings and nurture a new life in the mother-like dreamland.

The curved form makes the space soft and rounded. The reshaped space reveals a visual sense of metamorphosis and amazement. It resembles a pair of open arms, giving a home-like sense of belonging.

This is a place where imagination starts and expands. The natural space breeds infinite vitality, leading to the far-reaching future.

Strolling in the space is a reboot of the consciousness of man and nature, from art to reality, from body to mind.

Art returning to the earth

After a long period of mining, there was little greenery left on the mountain, leaving only bare soil and stones exposed. CCD team contemplated on how to ensure the functionality of the design while blending it to the surroundings to contribute to ecological restoration.

To blend the architecture into nature, the designers adopted natural materials. The team believes that design is not only about form but more importantly is about becoming a part of natural environment. The selection of materials emphasizes sustainability and the respect to ecosystem. Taking nature as the medium of creation, the natural materials create a holistic, artistic scene.

Valley of light

Based on the site’s conditions and the design intention, the designers created a "Valley of light" in the lobby bar.

Taking advantage of the depth and variations of the valley, the space is curved and cut to present a natural scale and inclusiveness, making the guests feel as if they’re surrounded by a natural canyon.

The designers conceived this space as an adventurous tour. Walking along the mountain trail to explore further and further, the guests feel like they’re standing on a cliff against the backdrop of sunset.

Natural hues set the overall spatial tone. The whole space is light and elegant, and incorporates natural forms. It is enriched by varied structures, creating more possibilities for spatial exploration.

Art integrates into the space in various forms, provoking thoughts on the relationship between people, space and nature through creativity and rich imagination.

Time forest

"Everyone has a forest of their own. Maybe we’ve never been there before, but it’s always there. The lost