With its stature as a global hub on different levels, and a highly fashionable one at that, one may assume stylish lodgings could only be found in Shanghai‘s downtown neighbourhoods. Well, think again. On the very outskirts of town, in Jiqiao to be precise, a historical village in between Shanghai Pudong Airport and Disneyland Shanghai Park, a tranquil retreat has opened its doors. Catering mostly to visitors of the hugely popular latter venue, Sleep Institute is a bed & breakfast-style hospitality concept which has nestled in a former rural home. The modest concrete structure measures 450 sqm. (4,844 sq.ft.) set across three floors and features just ten guestrooms and suites. The interior design, created by architects Sheng Le and Wang Wei of Shanghai-based architecture practice Atelier d’More, is simple and understated yet aims to offer guests an immersive getaway. The building has been fully stripped to its concrete shell, and apart from specific sections throughout the premises, it has been dipped in a pristine white hue, lending it a serene freshness. So, the ground floor lounge is Sleep Institute‘s communal space.
It’s where guests first arrive, kick off their shoes, check in at the reception desk or relax over a bite or a drink. The chosen palette is simple and underpins the aim for creating a tranquil oasis, and sees timber and plexiglass, used for most furnishings, against a backdrop of white and concrete. A shoe rack is positioned in front of the door, followed by a communal table with matching stools. The entrance is flanked on both sides by additional seating—a low concrete bench on the left extends along the façade towards the fireplace and beyond, while on the other side, it’s paired with circular wooden tables and matching chairs. In the right corner sits the reception desk, entirely encased in plexiglass, and it’s paired with white metal stools. Although each of the rooms and suites have a different configuration, the understated aesthetic is similar, and extra effort has been made to combine the sense of seclusion with a distinct architectural experience. Needless to say, a stay at Sleep Institute comes with modern amenities, such as free WiFi, and if you plan to visit Mickey Mouse and his extended family, a shuttle bus is readily available.
Sleep Institute
510 Caiyuan, Jiqiao Village (Pudong New Area)
201300 Shanghai
Publishers Note
Just to be clear – superfuture® is a design blog and not a political commentator. No surprise there. The scope of our content has always been global and borderless, however that can often mean covering projects in countries where we will not agree with the politics or actions of those countries. In a world that’s as screwed up as ever right now, the focus of our support is to those designers, architects and other creatives who aim to make the world a more liveable one – as opposed to people that try their hardest to destroy it. So if a project hits our desk and we like it based on its design credentials, we may choose to publish regardless of its location or creators nationality. superfuture® has always been inclusive and hopes for all current wars, aggression, violence, hate and extremism to end.
