Tucked away in Jiangsu province, Yixing - China's "Ceramic Capital" famous for its exquisite clay teapots - is a city steeped in cultural heritage. Once home to literary legend Su Tung-Po, it offers a unique fusion of ceramic art, majestic mountains, and literary legacy. Inspired by this rich tapestry, In-between Architects designed 99 rooms at Le Méridien Yixing, inviting guests to connect with nature and unwind in tranquil seclusion.

The hotel occupies 20,000 square feet, perched atop a hillside facing the layered, majestic mountain ranges. The natural scenery is poetic and boundless, like a landscape painting. The 99 rooms features an array of room configurations, spanning the lower and upper levels. The ground floor accommodates rooms with both front and rear private courtyards, while the upper level rooms has private balconies that offer sweeping views of the towering, cascading mountains..

The design team at In-between Architects thoughtfully designed the room layouts to bring in ample natural light, creating bright and warm interior spaces. As Ivan Wong, the director of In-between Architects, explains, "Yixing is known as the 'ceramics capital' with bamboo forests and tea plantations on the hillsides. When conceptualising the interior design for the rooms, we not only consider the spatial layout and material selections, but also what kind of experiences can happen within the space. We imagine who the hotel guests might be – a couple or a family? In each room, we include a tea cabinet where guests can store tea leaves or cakes, adding a delightful surprise and memorable touch to their stay."

In his book The Book of Tea, Okakura Kakuzō writes, "The tea ceremony is an impromptu drama, with the motifs of tea, flowers, and painting interwoven. No color disrupts the overall tone of the room, no sound breaks the rhythm of things, no gesture intrudes upon the repose. Harmony is an unspoken agreement not to disturb the unity of the environment by the obtrusion of the individual."

The In-between Architects team meticulously considered every detail, selecting local oak, natural stone materials, ceramics and mineral-based paints as the primary natural materials. The ground floor rooms feature natural stone flooring, while the upper level rooms utilise wood flooring. This decision was made to connect the ground floor rooms and their adjoining gardens, with the stone flooring is better suited to practical requirements of the lower level.

As Ivan explains, "Our design is not overly ornate, but we are very particular in selecting the materials and furnishings, with the intention that they will not easily degrade and can gracefully age, as we must consider the long-term maintenance and upkeep."

True luxury lies in comfort, and the In-between Architects design team has crafted a memorable experience for hotel guests through their thoughtful and masterful design approach, providing a serene and comfortable environment.

Photo: Seth Powers