BUDA Hotel

As the south extension of the city, the traffic of Yizhou Avenue is efficient. In this district, identical buildings and roads form the so-called new urban landscape, but this sameness erodes the warmth and narrative of Chengdu’s traditional lifestyle. Located miles from downtown—away from hustle and bustle—this project faces a busy street on one side and an old community on the other. Even as a temporary residence, the hotel aims to release the fatigue of travelers. Visual design is secondary; the lived experience is what matters most. Thoughtful functional planning becomes the foundation for revitalizing ordinary daily life. By connecting a new “shelter” form with the original building, the design creates a small refuge for guests amid hurried travel. Artwork becomes inseparable from the architecture — an exploration not only of spatial form but of the drama embedded in everyday living. In contemporary society, people seek not only efficiency and comfort but also fleeting moments of “fun.” The entrance features an arcuate ceiling that evokes a sense of home and signals openness. By emptying and simplifying the spatial volume, the architects create room for possibility. Artificial lighting guides guests through the interior, illuminating atmosphere, material, and human presence. Abandoning conventional design techniques and visual tropes, the project instead explores a dialogue between people and space. Guests are invited to rediscover their own individuality within ordinary life. Traditional hotel functions — fitness, restaurant, bar, office, meeting rooms — are reorganized and expressed in nontraditional ways. Working, playing, living, and socializing coexist fluidly. The architects describe “soul” as something intangible, connected to a greater spirit. If a hotel has a soul, it lives beyond its physical walls — created above all by the staff, whose interactions shape stories and connections. The space is not large, but it “fits like a glove.”