# Linehouse Reimagines Industrial Aesthetics for Jen Hangzhou Hotel The interior design integrates local craft traditions with the site's industrial heritage. - **Source:** [Dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-05 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f7a62ad0-bdd1-476c-b8be-db1cee3d5847 ## Industrial Heritage Integration Linehouse has completed the interiors for the Jen hotel in Hangzhou, China, owned by the Shangri-La Hotel Group. Located along the Dongxin River, the 18-floor building was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox. The interior concept specifically aims to bridge the gap between the area's former industrial factory compounds and modern hospitality. ## Lobby Design Philosophy The ground-floor lobby utilizes earth-toned marble and oak paneling to establish a warm, calm atmosphere for arriving guests. Artist Elsa Jeandedieu created a textured entrance artwork depicting local canals and bridges. Furthermore, the floor patterns and bespoke rugs are directly inspired by the specific street layouts of the surrounding neighborhood. ## Traditional Craft Techniques Public hospitality spaces are concentrated on the sixth floor, featuring the OpenHouse restaurant and Koan Bar. The design incorporates sunmao, a traditional timber joinery technique, across the restaurant ceiling. These spaces are further defined by handmade ceramic wall lighting and teal tiles, blending historical craftsmanship with a contemporary, light-filled architectural environment. ## Sinuous Architectural Elements The Koan Bar features a triple-height layout characterized by an undulating black metal staircase. This structure is carved between concrete-lined walls, serving as a direct nod to the site's industrial past. Beneath the staircase, curved walnut timber booths and tan leather seating provide intimate social spaces for guests visiting the venue. ## Wellness Floor Materials The seventh floor is dedicated to wellness, housing a gym, yoga room, spa, and pool. Designers used tactile materials with muted tones to maintain a tranquil environment. Notably, the gym features a lava stone wall with engravings illustrating movement, while the yoga room highlights hand-chiseled timber panels to enhance the sensory experience. ## Refined Guest Room Retreats The 176 guest rooms are conceived as urban retreats, utilizing a restrained palette of gun metal, oak, and textured render. Curved ceilings provide indirect lighting, adding a layer of softness to the industrial aesthetic. Bathrooms are illuminated by glass-block walls, maintaining the design consistency while ensuring functional, modern comfort for all travelers. ## Practice Design Context Founded in 2013 by Alex Mok and Briar Hickling, Linehouse operates studios in Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Auckland. The firm is known for projects like the Ink Ink Market in Shanghai and the Central Park shopping centre in Bangkok. Their work consistently explores the intersection of local cultural narratives and materiality. ## Project Scope and Impact Spanning 12,850 square meters, the project involved a large team including lighting consultants and structural engineers. By layering history, craft, and culture, the hotel offers a new perspective on Hangzhou's urban development. The collaboration between KPF and Linehouse successfully transforms a former industrial site into a cohesive, high-end hospitality destination. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.dezeen.com/2026/11/05/linehouse-jen-hotel-hangzhou/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._