The philosophy behind the Hotel Indigo brand is to offer boutique-style hotels infused with local inspiration so guests feel connected to the local neighbourhood and community. To fulfil this vision at the Asian flagship, HBA’s concept was to create a “personality all its own” for the 180-room hotel, including 21 River View Suites and two spacious Garden Terrace Suites.

“Throughout, Hotel Indigo’s design is about connecting the hotel to the neighbourhood — one anchored by the river and its influence on commerce and connection,” said Andrew Moore, HBA’s lead designer on the project.

HBA developed an eclectic and harmonious design linked to the neighbouring Huangpu River, and the element that ties it to the neighborhood most intimately, Shiliupu Dock, now know as Pier 16. This dock was the gateway through which Shanghai grew, as a shipping and trade centre, and entry point for thousands of European expatriates who led Shanghai’s development as a global city.

“While a general sense of place is often a hallmark of thoughtful hospitality design, HBA dials in place at a whole new level of detail for the Hotel Indigo: not a nation or even a city, but a neighbourhood,” added Mr Moore.

The lobby entrance is among the most striking and dramatic in Shanghai, reflecting Hotel Indigo’s position on the river and the brand’s commitment to nature, recyclables and ecologically sensitive design.

HBA chose strong elemental materials to render the lobby : raw steel, concrete, exposed brick, and polished plaster – suggesting this gallery space has been repurposed from a wharf-side waterfront loft. The open cell, cast concrete ceiling enhances this effect, studded with lighting that changes colours throughout the day.

As in the lobby, the guestroom palette is the natural tone of exposed Shanghai gray brick, distressed gray paneling, and polished plaster walls, a canvas against which shines colorful and lively carpets.

The sense of an older Shanghai is in eclectic and whimsical artifacts and furniture: with Chinese lanterns, authentic furniture, ceramic pieces and antiques. The canopy bed, an original design, was inspired by traditional Chinese wedding beds, but reinterpreted though a contemporary lens.

“We found wonderful furniture — for example, an especially interesting armoire console — in the local bazaars,” said Mr Moore. “We had it restored, then sprayed in fresh white enamel, so the piece would be simultaneously old and new.” It became the model for reproductions used in each room. Other furnishings reflect ecological sensitivity: while the pieces vary room to room, the materials are all eco-friendly.

Oversized bathrooms have a glass wall framed in polished steel, looking out onto the river. They feature an open wet area, where a minimalist vanity topped with rectangular porcelain basins gives a contemporary feel, as does the freestanding tub, which is sleek and modern.

HBA’s innovative design accomplished a true feat: connecting the ancient with the modern. The result is a youthful, contemporary, inspired space that understands where it has come from and leads the way into Shanghai’s design future.

In helping develop the first Hotel Indigo in Asia, HBA created a design that transforms the boutique brand name into a vantage point onto the most interesting areas within the storied and dynamic city of Shanghai – creating a standard against which all future Hotel Indigo properties will be judged.