Zenstay

Hotel for Zen-In Architects

Starting from local dwelling and natural texture, he tried to improve experience for visitors on the easternmost island in China by generating spaces meet both needs of traditional culture and current function under the seemingly dramatically opposite old and new architectural forms. Meanwhile, he explored the island stone house to construct skills as an appropriate technology (low tech), regional cultural of reference, its interventional reconstruction of the possibility and sustainable idea of the reflection and necessity.

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Zenstay by Shengzhe Shen

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Hotel by Shengzhe Shen

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Shengzhe Shen Zenstay

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Shengzhe Shen Hotel

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Shengzhe Shen Interview

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Zenstay Hotel Press Releases

Press releases for Zenstay are now accessible in these languages: English.

Zenstay Hotel Media Articles

Leverage our ready-to-publish articles on Zenstay, offered in a range of languages: Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, Japanese, Russian, English, German, Portuguese, Turkish, Arabic (Standard), French, Indonesian, Italian, Dutch and Hindi.

Unique Properties

Based on local dwelling and natural texture, the reconstruction project aimed at improving quality of living for visitors by generating functional spaces satisfy both needs of traditional culture and modern experience under the seemingly dramatically opposite old and new architectural forms. While preserving the original structure to the largest extent, novel white blocks were inserted to establish continuity between detached public spaces. At the same time, atrium and staircase offered a smooth transition between the old and new and with a purpose to strengthen the harmonious and stable of the place.

Tags

Hotel, Residential, Adaptive renovation, Interventional reconstruction, Sustainable idea, Rural design, Rebirth, Island, Stone house, Low tech, Regional cultural

Production Technology

Structure: Original stone-timber structure, Frame structure. Material: Concrete, Local ashlar, Red block, Old Larch wood, Used grey tiles, Stucco, Soil stabilizer. Construction team: Local Builders.

Design Challenge

In the process, there were series of difficulties overcame by folk wisdom and design strategy on the islands far away from the mainland without large construction machinery and vehicles. The concrete was poured by terrain and gravity, after transported to the top of the hillside by human and animal power. Trying to keep the traditional houses details and unique living experience, we combined modern materials with local craft as well. For example, the original style of the ashlar wall was put back to normal by soil stabilizer and loess. We had to face bad weather and goods shortage where could be more difficult than on the mainland.

Project Duration

The project started in April 2017 in Dongji Island, Zhoushan and finished in February 2019.

Operation Flow

In fact, most border islands have two sides of extremes — the cultural enclaves locked in the past and the hot spots for literary youth. Natural, traditional or fashion, postmodern would be conflicting and symbiotic. The design of Zenstay Boutique Hotel has both traditional and novel aspects as well, trying to cater the functional and scene requirements from its two aspects with a sincere and simple attitude.

Research

Thanks to the project, we explored the traditional stone house in island to construct skills as an appropriate technology (low tech), regional cultural of reference, its interventional reconstruction of the possibility and its sustainable idea of the necessity and reflection. By the protection of the original fabric and the innovation of the new format, we turned the old stone house of the rural island into a rebirth.

Inspiration

Zenstay Boutique Hotel is the ideal home for a post-80s couple on Dongji Island, the eastern end of mainland China, a original stone house on a hillside. Watching tides rise and fall, weathered by time and elements, stone houses create the rustic island culture and the beauty of years. The "local dwelling" and "natural texture" were the entry points for the design.

Image Credits

Image #1: Photographer Weiqi Jin, Aerial night view, 2020. Image #2: Photographer Weiqi Jin, Main facade, 2020. Image #3: Photographer Weiqi Jin, Platform, 2020. Image #4: Photographer Weiqi Jin, Old and new, 2020. Image #5: Photographer Weiqi Jin, Guest room, 2020.

Project Overview

Zenstay Hotel has been a Silver winner in the Architecture, Building and Structure Design award category in the year 2021 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.

Silver Recognition

Shengzhe Shen was recognized with the coveted Silver A' Design Award in 2022, a testament to excellence of their work Zenstay Hotel.

Shengzhe Shen Press Releases

We provide a series of press releases on Shengzhe Shen that journalists and press members can freely incorporate into their narratives. Available now: 1 press releases ready for immediate access by journalists.

Zenstay Boutique Hotel: A Rustic Island Rebirth

Shengzhe Shen's Zenstay Boutique Hotel on Dongji Island, China, is a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, offering a unique experience for visitors seeking a rustic island getaway.

Shengzhe Shen Newsroom

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