Mudu Royal Inn locates within Mudu Township of Suzhou. It is a delicate Jiangnan mansion with eight rooms, covering 3500 square meters.
The site used to be the original residence of the famous maiden from late Qing dynasty, Sheng Shou. It locates next to the renowned garden: Hung Yin Hall. The purpose of the design is to create a courtyard of quietness. Lighting helps integrate the original building structure with new parts, while sustaining the unique elegance of Jiangnan. Guests would sense rich history upon their arrival.
The designer intends to maintain the subtle balance between old and new through lighting. The stone drum is brightened carefully by the spotlight hidden within the doors of the building. Beams reveal historical signs to new guests. The modern artworks at the front gate show bright reflection under focused lighting. Most space in the hotel is devoted to the arched ceiling. Over the window of the ceiling, the lighting design illuminates certain parts of the ancient architecture, enabling visitors to glimpse about the ancient sight. The long and narrow corridor connects six rooms on the from yard. There are linear lightings on the ground. It satisfies the space function while illuminates the building with zen atmosphere.
Through decoration, the interior design of the suites portray different themes. Lighting utilizes unification in order to integrate various elements in the room. The linear lighting within headboard emphasizes on the theme wall in the suite, and provides soft atmospheric light. The skylight above sofa zone not only brightens old architectural parts, it also increases the lighting on the sofa, thus combining wisdom of ancient Chinese craftsmen and modern designers. For outdoor pool of the “qin” suite, designer intentionally installs lighting points beneath water. It creates a dramatically different visual impression in misty yard.
The interior garden of the hotel takes after the characteristics of traditional Suzhou gardens. Lightings are specifically installed for certain lake rocks and woods. Meanwhile specific lightings have been installed on rooftop, in order to highlight Jiangnan’s elegance. The dining hall at the end of garden was reconfigured from the corridor of the garden. It has become a sealed space due to glass walls. Designer has placed several indirect lightings on the interior floor of the room. Through emphasizing borders and lighting atmosphere, the dining hall has become an illuminated box within the garden. In the dining hall, in addition to functional lighting, designer utilizes lighting to stress upon various pillar foundations, giving the space a historical vibe.
The lighting designer combines indirect lighting and focused lighting to reinterpret traditional cultural icons and contemporary design, achieving new harmony and co-existence.
