Play hotel-hopping style: The Best Lobby Design Award goes to Tainan::GoldkeyAward2009

Another design and architecture award for a domestic hotel in China has been won by the Shangri-La’s Far Eastern International Hotel Tainan, which received the prestigious 29th Gold Key Award from the U.S. for “Best Lobby Design.” The towering, circular-shaped Shangri-La’s Far Eastern International Hotel Tainan, adjacent to the train station, stands 38 floors high. Designed by Hong Kong-based AB Concept for interiors and Metro Space Design from Taiwan for architecture, it infuses the historic ancient capital with a modern and elegant new vibe, making it the first in Asia to win such a major hotel design award.

The lobby of the Shangri-La’s Far Eastern International Hotel Tainan boasts a grand and expansive layout. The design team employed various techniques to make the indoor space more human-friendly while retaining the brand’s charm. Local wood is used to bring a warm feeling, softening the vast emptiness of the hotel's large interior. The simple yet interesting texture of the wood adds a cozy atmosphere. The hotel also features Asian-style seating and lamps, intentionally designed with a homely touch to invite guests to linger and enjoy the space.

The overall design centers around Tainan’s geography and culture, themed around “nature,” using feng shui principles to fill every corner with vitality. Within the cylindrical building, motifs or spatial designs featuring the “circle” as a design element can be spotted everywhere: such as the banquet hall design that radiates like the sun’s brilliance, and the Drunken Moon Tower with an aura resembling a jade ring. The main axis of the lobby space is themed “Golden Harvest,” symbolizing the rich land and profound cultural heritage of Tainan, all naturally integrated into clever design. The ten-meter-high lobby features a magnificent water curtain specially crafted with imported Turkish stone, where the gentle sound of flowing water creates an auspicious symbolism of bringing good fortune.

The Gold Key Award is one of the top-tier design accolades. AB Concept stood out among numerous internationally renowned design firms and is now recognized as a leading design force in Asia. When visiting Tainan, travelers should experience this new landmark and appreciate its elegant and fashionable new architecture. For hotel information and booking details, please visit www.shangri-la.com.tw.