Design Company: Wuxing Youxing Space Design
Area: 6,000 m²
Year: 2023
Photographer: Hanmo Vision·Zhang Jianing
Chief Designer: Wei Zhixue
Assistant Designers: Sun Zheng, Wu Guibi, Qian Zhendie
Construction Unit: Hangzhou Beiding Decoration
Lighting Design: Hangzhou Infinite Environment Design
Landscape Production: Hangzhou Wolin Planting Art
Lighting Device: Hangzhou Zhige Lighting
City: Hangzhou, Zhejiang
Country: China
Shangchen Bathhouse, designed by Wuxing Youxing Space Design in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, transforms the traditional concept of a bathhouse into a contemporary urban retreat. Covering 6,000 square meters, the project, completed in November 2023, reflects chief designer Wei Zhixue’s vision of blending natural elements, innovative materials, and meticulous spatial planning. The design emphasizes tranquility, incorporating greenery, volcanic rock, and sophisticated lighting to create a serene environment for relaxation and rejuvenation. This modern reinterpretation balances privacy with openness, offering a comprehensive and immersive experience for visitors.
The Shangchen Bathhouse reflects the fast-paced life of the city, where people seek brief escapes from their hectic routines. While dining, shopping, and movies have long been popular, bathhouses are increasingly becoming a preferred choice for relaxation, particularly during winter. These spaces are evolving with subtle yet significant improvements in design and branding.
Collaborating with Shangchen Bathhouse, designer Wei Zhixue has reimagined the bathhouse experience by merging the brand’s leisure-oriented focus with innovative design concepts. The resulting space transcends traditional bathing environments, catering to a diverse clientele across 6,000 square meters and two floors. The design includes well-planned functional flows, scenic focal points, and engaging details, creating an urban sanctuary aimed at rejuvenating both body and mind.
The public area on the ground floor immediately captivates with lush greenery, including vibrant red leaves, setting the stage for a dramatic chandelier overhead. Above the elevator, a “floating” box introduces a calm atmosphere, preparing guests for their bathhouse experience.
Renzo Piano’s philosophy of defying conventional rules to unlock new possibilities is echoed in the third-floor reception hall, conceived as an “urban living room.” The design boldly utilizes architectural surfaces, incorporating layers of volcanic rock that emphasize the flow and expansiveness of the space. The enclosed central layout of the reception area, defined by geometric patterns and structured order, creates an immersive environment that balances openness with interaction.
The design avoids mediocrity by combining dark green stone with inventive metal furnishings, creating engaging transitional spaces. The interplay of color and light upon entry envelops visitors in a distinctive ambiance, capturing the essence of water as a nurturing force that enriches all aspects of the space.
Repetitive patterns guide visitors through the corridor and into the changing rooms, where mirrored lockers create an illusion of expanded space, alleviating any sense of claustrophobia typically associated with dim environments. Even the subtle bevelling of signage letters is thoughtfully integrated into the overall design.
The bath area is characterized by continuous volcanic rock, offering a warm, coarse texture that fosters a sense of security within a misty environment. The varied combinations of home fixtures demonstrate mastery over materials and forms, while the interplay of light and space blurs the lines of tranquility.
Given the naturally dim features of the bath space, the design strategically pairs rough natural stone with smooth mirrored surfaces to create a serene, primitive ambiance. Gentle lighting and the juxtaposition of contrasting materials reinforce the brand’s unique identity and memorability.
Light serves as a guiding element, enhancing the bathhouse’s value and allure. Guests are immersed in a space that combines soothing hues and natural textures, drifting through an environment designed for comfort and relaxation. The semi-enclosed structure ensures privacy while framing a tranquil courtyard scene.
In the shower area, the design cleverly incorporates time-space gravity as a pathway, with stainless steel ceiling patterns subtly awakening the senses. Bathing stalls are seamlessly integrated into the overall visual design, providing each guest with a private and secluded experience.
Movement paths extend from the separate male and female areas, converging in a communal zone where vertical staircases elevate both the visual and experiential dimensions. The design skillfully balances order and aesthetics, creating a space that is both harmonious and visually pleasing.
Inspired by the contours of the natural world, the design explores abstract art through smooth, flowing lines. In the rest area, soft lighting paired with the sea salt-lit walls of the steam room invites deep relaxation, offering a dual indulgence of visual and physical pleasure.
The communal leisure area, designed to accommodate dining, steam baths, movies, and other activities, offers a comprehensive relaxation experience. The bi-directional expansion of the rock structure, combined with focused views, heightens sensory engagement.
Transitioning to the dining area, the interplay of light and shadows between plants and acrylic elements adds visual complexity, creating a soft and comfortable ambiance. The arched ceilings, enhanced by indirect lighting, contribute to the space’s tranquil atmosphere.
The dynamic interaction between straight lines and curves at the entrance draws visitors inward, with wave-like ceiling contours expanding the space and instilling a quiet grandeur. Subdued lighting fosters a serene environment, distancing the mind from urban stress while capturing the essence of both artistic and natural beauty.
In the Shangchen Bathhouse, designer Wei Zhixue showcases his expertise in material selection and innovative design. The project combines modular elements, scene-specific adaptations, and a bespoke furniture system within a replicable framework. By integrating contemporary lifestyle trends and using geometric forms with spiritual nuances, the design creates a narrative of interaction between people and space, offering a new sensory experience.
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Project Location
Address: Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Location is for general reference and may represent a city or country, not necessarily a precise address.
