A black staircase rises through brick and steel in jen hangzhou hotel interiors, showing industrial textures and layered factory character.

Linehouse Weaves Hangzhou’s Factory Heritage Into Jen Hotel’s Brick and Steel Interiors

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Written by Seth Sebastian

2026-11-05

Two former factory compounds once defined the riverbank where Jen Hangzhou now stands. Linehouse has kept that industrial character visible across jen hangzhou hotel interiors, from exposed brick to black metal stairs.

For another example of industrial buildings reborn as hospitality spaces, see how a century-old Japanese prison was converted into a luxury hotel with century-old Nara prison reborn as luxury hotel, where the original walls and cell structure shape the suites.

The international studio completed the hotel interiors, and the hotel is owned by the Shangri-La Hotel Group. The building sits along the Dongxin River in Hangzhou, China, in an urban setting. Its project area covers 12,850 square metres, and Kerry Properties is the client.

Arrival lobby at JEN Hangzhou hotel, designed by Linehouse, with brick and steel interior finishes.
Arrival lobby of JEN hotel by Linehouse

Kohn Pedersen Fox designed the 18-floor building. The US firm used steel, grey brick and glass to reference the site’s industrial past.

Linehouse carried that approach into jen hangzhou hotel interiors. The studio focused on showcasing local craft and on industrial details drawn from the former factories. The studio described the aim this way: “Jen Hangzhou is an urban hotel that celebrates its neighbourhood context.”

Lobby and ground floor

On the ground floor, the team chose earth-toned marble, oak panelling and relaxed seating. Together, these materials create a calm and warm atmosphere.

Another angle of the arrival lobby at JEN Hangzhou hotel, designed by Linehouse.
Arrival lobby of JEN hotel by Linehouse

Artist Elsa Jeandedieu made a textured artwork that greets guests at the entrance. It shows an abstract version of the bridges and canal close to the hotel.

Patchwork patterns appear on the marble floor and on a bespoke rug. Both take their cues from the street layout and tile patterns of the surrounding neighbourhood.

Bar at JEN Hangzhou hotel, a Linehouse interior with industrial brick and steel elements.
Bar of JEN hotel by Linehouse

Sixth floor dining and bar

The sixth floor holds all the hospitality spaces, including a restaurant, a bar and function rooms.

The long, linear OpenHouse restaurant is wrapped in full-height glazing that brings daylight deep into the room. A timber ceiling spans the length of the space. Its design draws on sunmao, a traditional timber joinery technique. A thin black metal frame highlights the ceiling and supports suspended lighting.

A coffee bar sits at the centre and divides the room. One side is a dining area, and the other side is an all-day lounge. The private dining room has an angled timber canopy in burnt red and yellow. Elsewhere, teal tiles and handmade ceramic wall lights add colour.

Restaurant seating area at JEN Hangzhou hotel, designed by Linehouse for guests.
Restaurant of JEN hotel by Linehouse

The adjacent Koan Bar is a triple-height venue. An undulating black metal staircase climbs to a terrace on the upper floor. Platforms along the way give guests space to gather.

Concrete panels line the walls the staircase passes between, another reference to the site’s factories. Beneath the stair, curved booths in walnut and tan leather offer more intimate seating.

Function room at JEN Hangzhou hotel, designed by Linehouse, with industrial brick and steel finishes.
Function room of JEN hotel by Linehouse

Three connected rooms on the sixth floor are enclosed by undulating timber walls. They will host events and small social gatherings. As in the lobby, bespoke carpets carry patterns abstracted from the neighbourhood’s urban details.

Wellness, guest rooms and materials

The seventh floor of jen hangzhou hotel interiors is devoted to wellness. It contains a gym, a yoga room, a spa, a swimming pool and changing rooms. The materials are tactile and muted in tone to keep the mood calm.

Swimming pool at JEN Hangzhou hotel, a Linehouse design with industrial brick and steel finishes.
Swimming pool of JEN hotel by Linehouse

A lava stone wall in the gym carries engravings that illustrate movement. The yoga room features hand-chiseled timber panels. A sloped, skylit annex houses the swimming pool.

The 176 guest rooms are described by Linehouse as “urban retreats”. The studio used a restrained palette of gun metal, oak datum, textured render and tan leather. Curved ceilings cast indirect light, and glass-block walls illuminate the bathrooms.

Guestroom at JEN Hangzhou hotel, designed by Linehouse with brick and steel interior details.
Guestroom of JEN hotel by Linehouse

Linehouse separated the two halves of jen hangzhou hotel interiors by material and technique. In its words, “The public areas explore traditional craft techniques such as sunmao timber joinery, clay tiling and bricks, natural patterns, textures and renders.”

The studio said the rooms take a different route. “Red brick, concrete, metal and bold forms reference the surrounding industrial environment, while handcrafted tiles, vintage timber, colours and metals with different patinas introduce warmth, richness and texture.”

About the studio behind jen hangzhou hotel interiors

Alex Mok and Briar Hickling founded Linehouse in 2013. The architecture and interior practice operates studios in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Auckland. Its recent work includes Ink Ink Market in Shanghai, which has a translucent sloping facade.

The factory-to-cultural-venue story continues in Atlanta, where a historic warehouse shifted from its industrial past into a lively art space, Atlanta warehouse transformed into vibrant art hub, offering a useful comparison for how heritage materials can be kept on view.

At Jen Hangzhou, the studio treats the factories as a material palette rather than a backdrop. Brick, steel and handmade craft run from the lobby to the pool. The result keeps the site’s history in plain view for every guest who walks through the door.

A black staircase rises through brick and steel in jen hangzhou hotel interiors, showing industrial textures and layered factory character.
Black staircase

Source: dezeen.com

Frequently asked questions

Who designed the Jen Hangzhou hotel building and its interiors?

Kohn Pedersen Fox designed the 18-floor building, using steel, grey brick and glass to reference the site’s industrial past. The international studio Linehouse completed the hotel interiors, and the hotel is owned by the Shangri-La Hotel Group.

How large is the Jen Hangzhou project and who is the client?

The project area covers 12,850 square metres. Kerry Properties is the client for the building on the Dongxin River in Hangzhou, China.

What wellness facilities are on the seventh floor of Jen Hangzhou?

The seventh floor is devoted to wellness and contains a gym, a yoga room, a spa, a swimming pool and changing rooms. The materials are tactile and muted in tone to keep the mood calm.

How many guest rooms does Jen Hangzhou have?

The hotel has 176 guest rooms, which Linehouse describes as “urban retreats.” The studio used a restrained palette of gun metal, oak datum, textured render and tan leather in them.

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