Zhuhai, a city in South China, is experiencing tremendous growth due to the completion of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, making it a key city in China to benefit from the Big Bay Economic Zone.
Project name: Intercontinental Hotel Zhuhai
Interior design firm: CL3 Architects Limited
Status: Built
Website: https://cl3.com/
Designer: William Lim
Project location: No.1 Qinglv South Road, Gongbei Area, Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province, China
Completion: 2018
Photographer: Nirut Benjabanpot
Zhuhai Intercontinental Hotel is situation within a landmark development, the Yanlord Marina Centre (珠海仁恆濱海中心), located right on the coastline, within walking distance to the Macau border, and with a magnificent view to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the ocean beyond. The hotel design commenced a few years ago, and the owner placed great importance on the lobby and public area design, and there upon enlisted CL3 Architects to revisit the design that has not met with the owner’s expectation.
The building architecture is a 47 storey tall highrise with a wave form that defines a 15 meter tall entry port cocher. A strong window farming system gives a orderly rhythm to the building which is brought to the interior to form a rhythmic, orderly module that organizes the interior spaces. The Design of the Hotel is based on the idea of Exploration, Islands, and Ocean. Zhuhai is formed by 148 islands in the Pearl River Delta that connects all the way to Macau and Hong Kong, which are now further connected by the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. This beautiful scenery of ocean, island and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in the distance is in full view from our unique hotel lobby located right on the Zhuhai Coast, which becomes the inspiration of our design.
The islands and water becomes the theme of a series of art installations that link the hotel arrival area, the main lobby and the reception. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by a large landscape art piece in the auto court called “3 Islands”. Abstract crystal and metal cutouts in mountain shapes symbolize Zhuhai, Macau and Hong Kong, and are placed among lush trees and planting to form a 3 dimensional landscape composition. Upon entering the lobby, a large 10m tall mural wall becomes the focus, depicting an aerial view of 28 silver islands floating on a transparent sea of mirror and metal weaving.
This dramatic installation combines serenity and drama, carefully incorporates lighting to set mood effects for day time and night scene. Upon arrival at the reception desk, a 3rd set of art installation composed of crystal islands can be seen floating on a water surface behind the reception. The water and the crystal islands connects visually to the beautiful scenery of the ocean and islands immediate behind the reception area.
The design pays attention to every detail to create the Intercontinental luxury and care for comfort of hotel guests. Import designer furniture is carefully selected. The artworks are carefully sourced from around the world to reflect an explorer’s collection amassed during his travel. No detail is spared in the design of this lobby that combines art, luxury and comfort.
William Lim
Founder and Managing Director
As Founder and Managing Director of CL3 Architects Ltd. (CL3), William Lim brings over 20 years of experience to his projects. An acclaimed architect and artist, William graduated from Cornell University and has spent the past two decades at the forefront of architecture, culture and art.
With a keen appreciation of humanities and art, William’s designs are distinctive and contemporary. “Architects have a social obligation to improve urban environments,” explains William. “Architecture is about people. I always feel that architects are only doing part of the job—the rest is really shaped by the occupant using the space. We treat every project as a unique challenge and pay attention to every single detail – from the architecture to the interior detailing– to create human-oriented and quality designs with artistic value.”.
Since founding CL3 in 1992, William has established a notable presence on the global design scene. The studio’s diverse, award-winning portfolio includes architectural and interior projects for hotels, restaurants, retail, corporate, residences and art installation design.
William is also active in the art space with a focus on public art. Throughout his career he has held several solo exhibitions showcasing his public art installations, most notably the Lantern Wonderland 2003 & 2011, Venice Biennale’s International Architectural Exhibition in 2006 & 2010, as well as Hong Kong & Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture in 2007, 2009 and 2017. His works have been exhibited in Hong Kong, Chengdu, the United States and Holland. More recently, his signature piece, “West Kowloon Bamboo Theatre”, was awarded the Grand Award and Special Award for Culture in Design for Asia Award in 2013.
Committed to promoting culture and education, William is currently the Advisory Council Member of the College of Architecture, Art and Planning at Cornell University and a Member on the Asia Pacific Acquisition Committee for Tate. Closer to home, he is also among the Gallery Advisory Committee Members for The Asia Society Hong Kong Center and Museum Expert Advisers for the Hong Kong Museum.
C L 3
CL3 is an innovative architecture firm based in Hong Kong, with offices in Shenzhen, Beijing, and Shanghai. Founded in 1992, CL3’s design is contemporary, while preserving the ability to bridge Architecture and Art. CL3 gives Eastern aesthetics a modern interpretation resulting in a unique showcase of distinguished designs. Renowned artist and architect William Lim provides the leadership and vision for CL3’s 70-person-strong team of dedicated professionals. CL3 is committed to good design with artistic value.
Its portfolio is as wide as it is varied, having provided architecture and interior design projects from commercial buildings to 5-star hotels throughout Asia. Its design commitment is one that looks to respecting the changing urban fabric of modern Asian cities while staying true to their core cultural heritage. This attitude has contributed to CL3’s many award-winning projects throughout its 25 years in business. Important CL3 designs include H Queen’s (2017), H Code (2018), Gaysorn Plaza (Bangkok, 2017), The Hemispheres (2015), Pushcart Furniture Series for Cornell University (NY, 2016), Millennium Mitsui Garden Hotel (Tokyo, 2015), East Hong Kong (2010), Hotel ICON (2011), and Marina Bay Sands (Singapore, 2010).
William Lim and CL3 are proud to have been honored with numerous design awards from various design bodies, including the American Institute of Architects, the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, the Hong Kong Interior Design Association, the Hong Kong Design Centre (Design for Asia Award), the Interior Design Magazine US for the Best of the Year Award, the Gold Key Award for Excellence in Hospitality Design, the China Design Award and most recently Chinese Designer of the Year 2017.
