Located next to the new Cool Docks complex on Shanghai's South Bund district, the Waterhouse is a four-storey, 19-room boutique hotel built in a three-storey 1930s Japanese army headquarters building. The boutique hotel overlooks the Huangpu River and the glittering Pudong skyline
Boutique hotel in Shanghai. Private and communal areas combine to create a remarkable spatial experience
Waterhouse is a hotel built in a historic district of Shanghai, so the modern architectural choices are inspired by the history of the place. The spaces are designed in an innovative and playful way creating open views between private and communal spaces
The architectural concept behind Neri&hu's renovation is based on a clear contrast between the old and the new. The original concrete building has been restored, while new additions have been made using Corten steel, reflecting the industrial past of this working district on the Huangpu River. Neri&hu's structural addition on the fourth floor resonates with the industrial nature of the ships crossing the river, providing a similar contextual link to both local history and culture
Neri&hu was also responsible for the designing of the hotel's interior, which is expressed through a blurring of the function of spaces, a reversal of interiors and exteriors and between the public and private sectors, creating a disorienting yet enjoyable spatial experience for the hotel guest who desires a unique five-star hospitality experience
The public spaces provide a peek into the private rooms while the private spaces prompt a glimpse into the public arenas, such as the large vertical window above the reception and the corridor windows overlooking the dining room
These visual connections of unusual spaces not only bring an element of surprise, but also force hotel guests to deal with the local urban environment of Shanghai where visual corridors define the unique spatial style of the city
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