Leisure carries profound meaning in a world that never stops moving. Free from worries, stretch your feet as if in a dream and sing softly to yourself. The fire burns gently with a subtle fragrance, ears attuned to the quiet. Beneath hollow eaves and shaded trees, it seems almost impossible to urge a guest to leave, as they embrace a serene, watermarked Zen state of mind.
— Song Yeyin
△ Architectural appearance © fangzhu
Situated on the third floor of Yongshengcheng Commercial and Residential Building in Taijiang District, Fuzhou, this spa occupies a total area of approximately 3,500 square meters. The lobby on the first floor faces Laoyaozhou Street, serving as an entrance to a large-scale foot massage and spa chain.
△ Building entrance © fangzhu
The elegant cave stone facade creates a striking contrast to the busy urban environment, drawing the attention of passersby inward toward the depth of the archway.
△ First floor entrance hall © fangzhu
The serene black-toned entrance hall on the first floor invites guests to gradually leave the outside world behind. Upon opening the elevator doors on the third floor, visitors are greeted by an entrance hall featuring a rockery bonsai niche that sparks a new chapter of memories.
△ Third floor entrance hall © fangzhu
△ Hall and reception area © fangzhu
The reception hall features a continuous corrugated metal arch with softly curved light corridors, reminiscent of a time tunnel bridging past and future. The interplay of light and shadows cast by surrounding greenery guides guests toward a quiet waiting area.
△ Bamboo muscle stone wall © fangzhu
△ Shoe changing waiting area © fangzhu
Idle Means Depth
The natural stone textures evoke the essence of a Song Dynasty landscape painting. The front desk’s facing wall features a gap reminiscent of a waterfall cascading down a mountain stream, splashing blue waves. Meanwhile, the black vertical semi-circular stone wall to the left rises like towering mountains reaching the sky.
△ Front desk & service desk © fangzhu
The city beyond the cave-like wall is separated from the hall, allowing guests to feel as though they are immersed in a landscape painting, bathed in soft sunlight while awaiting service.
△ Hall and Water Corridor © fangzhu
Foot baths and foot therapies have their roots in China, while spa treatments have an even longer history in Europe. This project seeks to blend Chinese and Western cultures. The arch, an ancient architectural element common to both traditions, is used to define different functional zones by varying its shape, creating a health and leisure experience that connects cultures across time.
△ Central Axis Water Corridor © fangzhu
Finger Watermark Zen Mind
As guests proceed further inside, the atmosphere evolves from raw and bold to warm and relaxing.
The three-tiered symbolic water axis in the central corridor naturally divides the space into four zones: a tea room, a lounge, a restaurant, and a bathing area, all separated by flowing water. The water axis links the main hall at one end and the spa foot treatment area at the other.
△ Changing Room © fangzhu
△ Pool and hot spring area © fangzhu
Spa foot therapy is organized into five zones inspired by the five elements and colors, arranged around the core of the building: yellow, red, black, white rooms, and a blue pool and hot spring area.
△ Tea Room © fangzhu
△ Guest Rest Area © fangzhu
△ Public corridors © fangzhu
Three distinct areas for changing routes use curved setbacks to create a landscape-like atmosphere.
△ Water Bar Platform © fangzhu
△ Restaurant © fangzhu
△ Spa Service Desk © fangzhu
The design draws inspiration from the textures of Song Dynasty paintings and the poetry of that era, offering guests a soul-cleansing and immersive experience that bridges ancient tradition and modernity. This creates a bright, contemporary space dedicated to health and relaxation.
△ Corridor © fangzhu
△ Massage room © fangzhu
Project Drawings
△ Plan view
△ Section diagram
Project Information
Project Name: Zhimu Watermark Spa
Location: Fuzhou, China
Owner: Changzhou Zhisen Health Management Co., Ltd.
Building Area: 3,500 square meters
Architecture & Interior Design: Yuan Xiuwan Architectural Firm (AMS)
Lead Architect: Yuan Xiuwan
Design Team: Zou He, Yin Chengxu, Jin Xue, Wang Qingrui
Lighting Consultant: First Building Lighting Design
Construction: Jiangsu Jiuding Building Decoration Engineering Co., Ltd.
Photography: Shanghai Fangzhu Imaging
Main Materials: Cave stone, technological veneer, corrugated metal plate, microcement, ceramic tiles, stone
Design Period: May 2022 – September 2022
Construction Period: September 2022 – February 2023
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