THE CHINA HOTEL IN GUANGZHOU WAS ONE OF THE FIRST HOTELS TO BE BUILT IN CHINA IN THE 1980'S TO ACCOMMODATE TOURISTS AND BUSINESSMEN. IT IS LOCATED OVER THE ROAD FROM THE GUANGZHOU TRADE EXHIBITION HALLS, WHERE FOR DECADES THE BIANNUAL GUANGZHOU TRADE FAIRS WERE THE ONLY AVENUE FOR FOREIGN BUSINESSMEN TO MEET THEIR CHINESE CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS .

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WE WERE INVITED TO UNDERTAKE DESIGNS FOR THE REFURBISHMENT OF THE WHOLE HOTEL TO REMOVE THE STALE 1980'S SOCIALIST DESIGN AND PROVIDE MODERN FIVE-STAR LUXURY COMMENSURATE WITH CHINA'S NEW-FOUND PLACE AMONG THE WORLD'S TRADING NATIONS.

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DRAWING ON THE WELL-UNDERSTOOD SYMBOLISM OF GUANGZHOU'S FAMOUS CHINESE OPERA, AND IMAGERY FROM THE ORIGINAL BUILDING, (SUCH AS THE GIGANTIC EXTERIOR SONG-DYNASTY DANCING MAIDEN MURALS, SYMBOLISING THE GREAT PEARL RIVER THAT FLOWS THROUGH GUANDONG), WE DESIGNED A SERIES OF 5-STAR PUBLIC SPACES THAT BROUGHT THE HOTEL EXPERIENCE UP TO DATE. 

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THE ILLUSTRATIONS SHOW SOME OF THE FIFTEEN PUBLIC SPACES THAT WE DESIGNED: 1. A VIP RECEPTION ROOM, 2. THE SICHUAN RESTAURANT, 3,4. TWO OF THE VIP DINING ROOMS, AND 5. A VIP MEETING ROOM. THE STAR SHAPED CHANDELIER IN THE BOTTOM LEFT PHOTO IS NOT THE FIVE POINTED STAR SEEN ON THE CHINESE FLAG BUT AN EIGHT-POINTED STAR COVERED IN REAL GOLD-LEAF. EIGHT IS THE LUCKY NUMBER IN CHINA AND ANYTHING MADE FROM GOLD IS MUCH ADMIRED.  

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