GOA and WJ studio’s ‘boatyard hotel’ in china unfolds as a series of arched canopies

unveiling the ‘Qushui Shanwan Boatyard Hotel’

Located at the entrance of Shanwan Village, within China’s Wujiang District, the ‘Qushui Shanwan Boatyard Hotel’ is GOA’s (Group of Architects) second project in the area. Along with ‘The Restaurant of Metasequoia Grove‘, sited adjacent to the hotel, this architectural cluster is designed to meet vacationers’ dining and lodging needs — serving as the first stop for tourists and a future community parlor for locals.

‘This area has been designated as a leading pilot area for Green and Integrated Ecological Development in the Yangtze River Delta Proposal. Since 2020, the region has launched a series of rural revitalization plans to promote the agricultural, cultural, and tourism industries. As a result, the Boatyard Hotel and the Restaurant of Metasequoia Grove now constitute the rural revitalization demonstration zone in Qushui Shanwan,’ shares GOA. 

goa + wj studio recall the nostalgic image of local town boats 

The GOA team joined forces with interior design office WJ Studio to bring the ‘Qushui Shanwan Boatyard Hotel’ to life. Adorned with dramatic arches, the architecture recalls the idyllic beauty of a natural wharf nestled to the south of the site — igniting the architects’ imagination and prompting them to revisit the bustling Jiangnan water towns: ‘blue waters blue waters gently lapping against verdant shores, while small boats glide by’ conjure childhood memories for every riverside generation,’ notes GOA. With such a scenic image in mind, the team translated the local awning of boats with an arched canopy into an undulating roof that honors the folk stories of Jiangnan.

anchoring guests in an immersive, serene atmosphere 

Beyond adding a new dimension to the gentle rural skyline, the arched roof immerses visitors in a poetic viewing experience. The image of clustered awnings evokes a vibrant water town atmosphere: as boats gather, reunion stories unfold, and as a boat drops anchor, guests check in to the ‘Boatyard Hotel’. Embraced by a soft yellow glow, the hotel becomes a temporary destination that provides travelers with a cozy retreat from their journey. On the first floor by the water’s edge, the dining area boasts an unparalleled lake view. Sunk 0.3 meters below the water surface, the design recreates the experience of being seated in a boat cabin, encouraging guests to share the town residents’ memories and day-to-day living.

The ‘Qushui Shanwan Boatyard Hotel’ comprises three distinct areas: the entrance reception, a café and bar, and guest rooms. Upon entering the reception area, visitors are greeted with an impressive archway leading them toward the water and serving as the overture to the spatial sequence. The remaining two multi-arched roof areas are located on either side of the complex, separated by courtyards into front and back sections, creating the main functional spaces for dining and resting.

The ascending arches of the roof and the path leading to the second floor create a crescendo, serving as a prelude to encountering the expansive wetland scroll. Furthermore, the alignment of each arch on the roof with a guest room below creates a harmonious unity. ‘Blending a living village with natural scenery, the Boatyard Hotel offers visitors a serene escape from urban chaos while immersing them in nature’s embrace as they approach,’ concludes the GOA team. 

1/3

project info:

name: Qushui Shanwan Boatyard Hotel

location: Suzhou, Jiangsu Province

architecture: GOA (Group of Architects) 

interior design: WJ Studio 

landscape architecture: Zhejiang LEON Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd.

operation consultance: Suzhou Bluetown Cultural Tourism Co., Ltd.

photography: In Between, Zhang Xi 

gross floor area: 900 sqm

design / completion period: 2021-2022