The JW Marriott Shanghai Oriental Beauty Valley, designed by Gensler, proudly marks Marriott International Group’s 50th hotel in Shanghai and officially opened today. This 265-room hotel is situated on the man-made island of Jinhai Lake. Gensler’s design team thoughtfully integrates the lake’s scenic beauty along with the surrounding forest park, retro-style old town, and other cultural elements. Their goal is to create a hotel that honors local culture, prioritizes guest experience, and sets new trends in design.
The hotel’s overall design features two winding curves on the upper level and three geometric forms at the base, creating an organic and harmonious composition. This approach overcomes the limitations of a narrow site while producing a soft, dynamic architectural silhouette that blends seamlessly with the natural surroundings. The striking visual presence of the building also establishes it as a landmark within the area.
Departing from the traditional double-corridor hotel room layout, the architecture features two curved volumes replacing a single narrow building form. This design combines single- and double-corridor guest rooms in a flat layout, ensuring every room offers lake views while creating an enclosed courtyard within. The flexible design also maximizes natural light and ventilation in the public areas on the ground floor.
To deliver an exceptional guest experience, Gensler carefully orchestrated the relationship between different functions within the project. Their planning strategy separates pedestrian and vehicle traffic, as well as active and quiet areas. The conference facilities, which experience high visitor flow, are positioned near the entrance, while the hotel lobby is set in a more private internal zone, offering guests a peaceful check-in environment. Vehicle circulation is routed to the north side, while a well-planned pedestrian system occupies the southern space, ensuring smooth and safe movement throughout the site.
The master plan incorporates water features that extend from the exterior into the project, creating an integrated water landscape that connects indoor and outdoor spaces. This design offers multiple levels of waterfront open areas for visitors to enjoy.
Project Drawings
△ Functional Analysis
△ Analysis Chart
△ Analysis Chart
△ Analysis Chart
△ Analysis Chart
Project Information
Architectural Design: Gensler
Project Year: 2021
Project Leaders: Xiaomei Lee, Liu Jingyan
Design Director: Jaime Gimeno
Senior Designer: Cui Zheng
Project Architects: Shu Fan, Shen Jiangtao
Designer: Lin Yanchen
Project Manager: Wang Dongyu
Client: JW Marriott Hotel
Location: Shanghai, China
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