Gert Voorjans, the visionary designer behind iconic interiors, has embarked on a mission to redefine luxury through his unique approach to design. His latest project, The Silk Lakehouse, is a testament to his philosophy of creating spaces that embrace the essence of their surroundings.
Voorjans' work with the Shangri-La group has taken him to Hangzhou, China, where he has crafted an ultra-luxury experience that goes beyond the ordinary. In a world where globalization has led to a homogenized aesthetic, Voorjans aims to bring back the magic of place-specific design.
"The sense of place is what sets an experience apart," Voorjans explains. "When you travel, you want to feel the unique character of a location, not just a generic, beautifully decorated space."
The Silk Lakehouse, a 68-room boutique hotel nestled in the woodlands of Hangzhou, embodies this philosophy. Voorjans has mirrored the natural beauty of West Lake, a UNESCO-listed site, into every aspect of the interiors. From the fabrics to the wall coverings, each element reflects the lotus flowers, willow leaves, and other iconic elements of Chinese culture.
"We wanted to create an immersive experience," Voorjans says. "When you stay at The Silk Lakehouse, you're not just in a hotel room; you're surrounded by the essence of Hangzhou."
But here's where it gets controversial: Voorjans challenges the notion of a "standard" room. Instead, he offers four distinct templates, each echoing the surrounding nature. There's the Garden Room, a celebration of ultra-luxury, the Romance Room, the Peacock Room, and the one-of-a-kind Presidential Suite.
"We wanted to avoid the generic," he explains. "Each room is a unique experience, a reflection of the heritage and culture of the location."
Voorjans' passion for color is another key element of his design philosophy. He believes that color adds vitality and energy to a space, a contrast to the dullness of gray and off-white.
"Color is a powerful tool to strengthen the sense of place," he says. "It's about creating an emotional connection to the location."
His experience designing the Dries Van Noten stores further emphasizes this point. When he created the Paris store, he refused to replicate the same look for every location. Instead, he tailored each store to its unique setting, bringing in elements of local heritage and culture.
"It's about creating a dialogue between the brand and the location," Voorjans explains. "Even if you're bringing in a collection from Belgium, you want people to feel the essence of where they are."
And this is the part most people miss: Voorjans' approach is not just about the past. It's about blending heritage with modernity in a fresh, relatable way.
"The challenge is for the new generation to redefine the sense of place with the heritage that's there," he says. "Heritage can be revisited and reimagined for today and the future."
Voorjans cautions against nostalgia and retro trends. Instead, he advocates for a contemporary, modern approach with a touch of heritage.
"It's about creating something new and fresh, a unique experience that celebrates the past while looking forward."
So, what do you think? Is Voorjans onto something with his philosophy of place-specific design? Or is it a step too far? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
