Zhi Lan Hotel by Jinxiang Zhao is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award de Bronce in Diseño de Hostelería Competition Category.

BronceHostelería· 2025

Zhi Lan Hotel

by Jinxiang Zhao

Client: Luxun Academy of Fine Arts

A' Design Award de Bronce Winner in Hostelería Category

36,618

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #168106

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About Zhi Lan Hotel

Zhi Lan es un hotel creado a partir de la conversión de una antigua fábrica en un espacio de hospitalidad sostenible. La estructura original de acero se conserva y se integra en el mobiliario y en los elementos interiores. Las zonas ajardinadas, los senderos y un sistema de depuración de agua conforman un ecosistema autosuficiente. Las aguas residuales de las habitaciones, los restaurantes y las oficinas, junto con el agua de lluvia y de nieve, se recogen, se depuran y se utilizan para las terrazas paisajísticas y las áreas vegetales. Un depurador modular transparente hace visible el ciclo del agua. La iluminación inteligente y los controles climáticos favorecen un uso eficiente de la energía.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Bronce

Zhi Lan Hotel ha ganado el A' Design Award de Bronce, un reconocimiento sumamente prestigioso concedido a diseños sobresalientes que se distinguen por su creatividad, ingenio y astucia. Los ganadores de Bronce son artefactos ampliamente hábiles y sorprendentemente creativos que acreditan la vasta experiencia, imaginación e ingeniosidad de sus diseñadores. Se espera que Zhi Lan Hotel sea un objeto muy apreciado, admirado y querido, notablemente profesional e innovador. Este diseño ganador del A' Design Award de Bronce incorpora las mejores prácticas del arte, la ciencia, el diseño y la tecnología, y es excelente por su atención al detalle. Zhi Lan Hotel satisface espléndidamente las necesidades, toca los deseos, encanta los sentimientos y atrae la curiosidad.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Zhilan sustainable hotel design transforms an old factory into an eco-friendly space, merging industrial aesthetics with green ecology. The steel frame retains its industrial charm, while integrated greenery and a sewage purification system create a self-sustaining ecosystem. Intelligent systems and water recycling optimize energy efficiency, fostering a sustainable and harmonious connection between humans and nature.
Tags: Sustainable, Device, Hotel, Green
Production Technology: Our design employs an interdisciplinary approach, integrating advanced numerical simulation and intelligent monitoring to achieve a seamless union of ecology, structure, and energy efficiency. The hotel’s southern water purification system collects and purifies wastewater from guestrooms, restaurants, offices, and natural rain and snow, supplying landscaped terraces and plant areas to form an indoor-outdoor ecological connection. The transparent, modular purifier visually demonstrates the water cycle. The regenerative facade uses energy-saving materials with excellent mechanical and thermal properties, providing both protection and efficiency, embodying the harmony between humans and nature.
Design Challenge: The hardest aspect was harmonizing the historic industrial character with modern sustainability demands. We faced the challenge of preserving heritage while integrating cutting-edge eco-technologies, navigating regulatory constraints, and reconciling conflicting production capabilities. Balancing historical context, social expectations, and available technology required extensive research and innovative problem-solving.
Research: Type of Research: Mixed-method exploratory study. Research Objectives: Blend industrial heritage with sustainable design. Methodology: Field studies, interviews, and simulations. Data Collection and Research Tools Used: Surveys, sensors, and digital modeling. Participants or Experiments: Designers, engineers, and local community. Results: A design harmonizing history with eco-tech. Insights and Impacts: Enhanced user experience and business viability. Effect: Boosted social cohesion and innovation in design.
Inspiration: The Zhilan hotel design is inspired by the idea of merging industrial heritage with green ecology. A large-scale water purification system collects wastewater and natural water sources, supporting the hotel's ecological systems. By seamlessly linking indoor and outdoor spaces, the design fosters a sustainable relationship between humans and nature, embodying the vision of harmonious coexistence with the environment.
Project Duration: Located at No. 1 Yingpan North Street, Hunnan District, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, the project occupies a prime position adjacent to the Shenyang Olympic Sports Center, Shengjing D’Outlet, and Liaoning Gymnasium. The site benefits from comprehensive facilities and excellent connectivity—Youth Street and Metro Line 2 (within 500 meters)—establishing it as a major urban node. While the exact project duration has not been disclosed, its strategic location underscores its significance.
Operation Flow: An old factory is reborn as a sustainable cultural and hospitality space where industrial charm meets green nature. The original steel frame is integrated into furniture and art, blending strength with renewed vitality. Lush greenery, walkways, and a water purification system create a self-sustaining ecosystem that enhances comfort and sustainability. Smart lighting and climate controls adjust naturally, while water recycling optimizes resource use, fostering a harmonious connection between people and nature.
Team Members: Haochen Xu
Jinxiang Zhao
Haige Huang