Beijing-based B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio has successfully transformed a historic cinema in Yangzhou's Guangling district into the Jiangnan House hotel, creating a modern hospitality destination that preserves the area's rich cultural heritage. The adaptive reuse project combines contemporary design with traditional Chinese architectural elements, breathing new life into a building that once served as the community's entertainment hub. This renovation represents part of the first phase of the Guangling Ancient City urban renewal program, demonstrating how historic preservation can coexist with modern development.
The project involved a collaborative effort between multiple organizations, with Architecture and Engineering Co., Ltd. of Southeast University overseeing the overall planning while B.L.U.E. Architecture Studio handled key interior renovations, two new building constructions, and facade updates. The design team worked closely with local partners including Yangjian Group and Yangzhou Yijiangxuan Garden and Ancient Architecture Construction Co., Ltd., creating a unified approach that celebrates the neighborhood's historic urban fabric. This partnership ensured that local expertise and traditional craftsmanship were integrated throughout the renovation process.
The hotel's lobby occupies the former cinema's auditorium, where the original timber roof structure has been carefully preserved to maintain the space's impressive ceiling height and architectural character. A new screen installation pays homage to the building's cinematic past, while a central tree pond and connecting corridors evoke the peaceful atmosphere of traditional Yangzhou gardens. The design team selected aged elm wood, natural stone flooring, and sawtooth wood veneer to create a rich tactile experience, complemented by terrazzo surfaces and vintage metal fixtures that recall the golden age of historic cinemas.
Local artists contributed hand-carved woodblock prints depicting classic film scenes, strengthening the connection between the building's former life as a cinema and its new identity as a boutique hotel. These artistic elements serve as both decoration and historical documentation, preserving memories of the community's entertainment heritage. The integration of local artistry demonstrates the project's commitment to supporting regional craftspeople and maintaining cultural continuity.
The Jiangnan House features forty guest rooms, many situated within the preserved courtyard layout of the original heritage buildings. Two newly constructed volumes house additional accommodations, with their design inspired by the pavilions and terraces characteristic of classical Yangzhou gardens. The architects employed flowing corridors and layered roofs to create visual movement and offer guests varied perspectives as they move through the property.
Construction materials reflect a thoughtful balance between contemporary building techniques and traditional aesthetics. Recycled bricks, bamboo-molded concrete, and hand-carved stone tiles complement the textures of existing courtyard walls and the small green tiles typical of local architecture. While the original timber structures and facades remain intact, each guest unit includes modern amenities such as air conditioning, heating systems, and private bathrooms, ensuring comfort without compromising historical integrity.
The interior design emphasizes natural materials including wood, stone, handmade bricks, and textured plaster to create an atmosphere of quiet authenticity. Detailed craftsmanship appears throughout the property in features like hand-hewn wood panels, weathered copper surfaces, and traditional woodblock prints that reference Yangzhou's renowned craft traditions. Vertical gardens along the corridors soften the building facades and enhance the guest experience, creating green spaces that echo the gardening heritage of the region.
This transformation of a historic cinema into the Jiangnan House hotel demonstrates how adaptive reuse projects can successfully preserve cultural heritage while meeting contemporary needs. The project serves as a model for future urban renewal initiatives in historic districts, showing that thoughtful design and community collaboration can create destinations that honor the past while embracing the future.
