Wuxi Xuntang Ancient Town
AECOM Asia Company Limited · Wuxi - China
Category Winner 2025

Overview
Our project revitalizes a 5,058-square-meter island village along the Shangxian River, transforming it into a luxurious boutique hotel that preserves historic structures while opening entire island to public exploration. The landscape design enhances outdoor spaces, celebrating the uniqueness of Wuxi culture.
Rooted in ancient systems, the design bridges tradition and modern living. The team studied heritage canal waterfronts in Wuxi to understand how local architecture interacts with water, developing a palette of authentic materials and place-making elements. This approach required a deep understanding of historical lifestyles, materials, and intervention parameters.
With the hotel as the anchor, the design strengthens connections between buildings, streets, and the water. Key interventions include a welcoming arrival through a historic bridge, improved pedestrian circulation, restoration of the traditional central garden, and activation of the canal-front with cultural features.
Today, as visitors stroll through Xuntang Ancient Town’s stone streets, they experience a journey through time. The preserved village reflects Wuxi’s rich heritage while offering a vibrant, contemporary hospitality experience. It stands as a proud symbol of cultural continuity and thoughtful design — where history, nature, and modern life coexist in harmony for everyone to explore and enjoy.
Our project revitalizes a 5,058-square-meter island village along the Shangxian River, transforming it into a luxurious boutique hotel that preserves historic structures while opening entire island to public exploration. The landscape design enhances outdoor spaces, celebrating the uniqueness of Wuxi culture.
Rooted in ancient systems, the design bridges tradition and modern living. The team studied heritage canal waterfronts in Wuxi to understand how local architecture interacts with water, developing a palette of authentic materials and place-making elements. This approach required a deep understanding of historical lifestyles, materials, and intervention parameters.
With the hotel as the anchor, the design strengthens connections between buildings, streets, and the water. Key interventions include a welcoming arrival through a historic bridge, improved pedestrian circulation, restoration of the traditional central garden, and activation of the canal-front with cultural features.
Today, as visitors stroll through Xuntang Ancient Town’s stone streets, they experience a journey through time. The preserved village reflects Wuxi’s rich heritage while offering a vibrant, contemporary hospitality experience. It stands as a proud symbol of cultural continuity and thoughtful design — where history, nature, and modern life coexist in harmony for everyone to explore and enjoy.
- Location
- Wuxi - China
- Edition
- 2025
- Discipline
- Landscape Design
- Category
- Heritage Design
Project credits
- Lead Designer
- AECOM Asia Company Limited
- Team
- Shirley Chen, Lukasz Podlewski, William Chang, Dimbber Ondo, Jason Pasion, Hilary Tang, Yiu Lun Cheng, Tengyan Xiong, Eva Hu, Michelle Lam
- Consultants
- Archiecture Firm: 江苏城归设计有限公司 Jiangsu Chenggui Design Institute Co., Ltd.; Civil Structure Engineer: 江苏城归设计有限公司 Jiangsu Chenggui Design Institute Co., Ltd.; Landscape Contractor: 无锡市瑞景城市服务有限公司 Wuxi Ruijing Urban Services Co., Ltd.; Lighting Designer: 苏州金螳螂建筑装饰股份有限公司 Suzhou Gold Mantis Construction Decoration Co.,Ltd.
- Photography
- TAIHU NEW CITY CONSTRUCTION GROUP




