ASPERA HOTEL
Per aspera ad astra
Embark on this extraordinary journey and reach for the stars.
Sometimes, illusion and chaos can be more captivating than reality and clarity.
In the city, you may encounter fictional scenes and surreal moments along your journey.
Welcome to the Sailboat Hotel — a place of deep water, soft light, and Yuzhong illusions.
Mermaid images overlap and intertwine, creating a dreamy, hazy atmosphere.
Light and shadows filter through the “Heavenly Cave,” softly diffusing throughout the space.
The semi-transparent reception desk blends almost invisibly into the space, illuminated only by two flickering candles awaiting distant guests.
The crystal ball matrix filters the sunlight streaming through the tall buildings outside, casting shimmering, hazy light throughout.
A graceful spiral staircase connects two worlds: the Wild Grass Flying Boat (ASTRA) above and the Yuzhong Illusion Realm (ASPERA) below.
Sunlight cascades down the spiral staircase, embodying the design theme of “Deep Water Soft Light, Yuzhong Illusion.”
Guest corridor | Strolling through deep waters surrounded by fish on both sides.
The guest rooms evoke a gentle, flowing atmosphere, each decorated with unique themes and accents.
Guest Room – [Colorful Shell]
Room – [Soft Light]
Guest Room – [Yuying]
Postscript: This project possesses a mysterious and intriguing charm, hidden in the heart of the city. Its entrance blends seamlessly into the city’s hustle and bustle, making it almost unnoticeable.
Located on the 24th floor, the hotel is neither too low nor too high amidst the towering buildings of the Monument to the People’s Liberation business district. This height offers the perfect vantage point to appreciate the city’s three-dimensional scenery.
The operations team embraced the theme Per aspera ad astra — “Traveling in Wonders, Reaching the Stars” — which laid the foundation for the project’s exploration of fun and poetry.
The brand architecture was carefully designed to interconnect yet keep Aspera Hotel and Astra Star Food Bar independent. Hotel guests enjoy convenience and added value services, while diners at the bar can relax on-site after their meals.
The spatial design reflects this brand narrative: the hotel is on the 24th floor (bottom), while the dining bar is on the 25th floor (top). Boarding and sailing happen at the top, diving and dreaming at the bottom. This spatial logic naturally inspired the design, with the Astra Star Gathering Dining Bar themed around wild grass flying boats, and the Aspera Hotel embracing the “Deep Water Soft Light, Yuzhong Fantasy.”
Situated in Chongqing’s Yuzhong CBD, a highly valuable land area, the space is modest in size with no grandiose display. Instead, spatial hierarchy creates depth, complemented by surreal, chaotic, and even absurd scenes to offer guests a unique, dreamlike experience.
Whether in public or guest areas, the design aims to convey the brand’s essence: deep water, soft light, and Yuzhong illusion.
The hotel’s construction faced challenges due to the pandemic, nearly halting progress. Since opening, it continues to be affected by ongoing restrictions. The pandemic’s end remains uncertain, and decisions cannot be rushed.
Reflecting back to two years ago at the start of construction, we shared a beautiful, romantic vision when the world was still hopeful and untouched by the pandemic. We hope to maintain our perseverance and enthusiasm despite these challenges.
— enoch
December 2021
Project Information
Project Name: ASPERA/ASTRA Flagship Store (Monument to the People’s Liberation Flagship Store)
Location: 24F, Tower A, Didu Building, No. 8 Wuyi Road, Yuzhong District, Chongqing
Owner: Chongqing Duoba Hotel Management Co., Ltd
Owner Representative: Liu Liming
Project Manager: Zhang Chongyu
Building Area: 3,000 square meters
Design Period: October 2019 – February 2020
Construction Period: October 2020 – May 2021
Opening Date: May 2021
Services Provided: Architecture, Interior Design, Mechanical, Lighting
Design Director: Liu Wanbin
Artistic Director: Xie Xiaoying (PhD)
Interior Designers: Gao Min, Liu Jiangling, Liu Cong
Project Manager: Wang Yu
Brand Consultant: Chengdu Guoshu Brand Management Co., Ltd
Art Consultant: Wei Wei
Lighting Consultant: Ou Wei
Mechanical & Electrical Consultants: Tang Jingguo, Li Xin, Xu Ruiquan | Nanke Mechanical and Electrical Design
Rendering Design: Walker Digital Image Design / Conceptual Design
Construction Contractor: Chongqing Nanxi Xunya Decoration
Project Photography: Folk Formula Photography (except signature)
Project Video: Small Livestock · Visual
Brand Support: Shangbao Lighting, Top Furniture, Wood Spring Furniture, FINE ART, Zhongshan Silver Elephant Lighting, Zhuoyi Sculpture, Yucheng Metal, Honghua Glass, Chongqing 1986 Home Fabric, West Bright Stairs, Fanuo Art Decoration Painting, Sichuan Chengyu Huihao
Main Materials: Glass, stainless steel, marble, granite, microcrystalline stone, wood veneer, wall cloth, coatings, acrylic, soft film, aluminum plate
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up