Chosen by Prix Versailles
The Prix Versailles is a global architecture and design award that recognises exceptional projects across categories, including hotels, restaurants, airports and cultural spaces. Founded in 2015, it highlights places that combine strong design with functionality, innovation and consideration for their wider environment. Each year, an international jury selects standout projects in several categories, with some going on to receive further distinctions.
The Silk Lakehouse, Shangri-La Hangzhou – China
Positioned along Hangzhou’s UNESCO-listed West Lake, The Silk Lakehouse was redesigned with the feel of a historic Jiangnan merchant’s home rather than a conventional hotel. Parts of the original building were intentionally removed to preserve the lake’s skyline and historic atmosphere, allowing the surrounding landscape to remain the focus. Interiors combine Chinese references with European decorative influences through lacquered woods, dramatic textiles and richly layered furnishings. Large framed openings draw attention to the lake from almost every angle, while the overall mood feels intimate and residential rather than overtly formal. The result is a hotel that feels closely tied to Hangzhou’s long relationship with silk, poetry and landscape design.
Written by Hana Al-Khodairi
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