Suspended high above the city, STARS crowns the new Four Seasons Hotel Hangzhou Centre as a rooftop lounge where the quiet poetry of the cosmos meets the refined hospitality of the Four Seasons brand. Designed by KOKAISTUDIOS, the 588m2 venue in China unfolds as a sequence of celestial-inspired spaces, combining the atmosphere of an observatory with that of an urban sanctuary, and shaped for both contemplation and celebration.
A lounge between earth and sky
From the moment guests step inside, STARS positions itself between two worlds: the grounded calm of Hangzhou’s mountain silhouette and the expansive sky stretching above it. KOKAISTUDIOS frames this duality with a design language that shifts gently from day to night, allowing the space to feel bright and open in daylight before settling into a more intimate, atmospheric character after sunset.
The lounge’s central bar acts as its gravitational core. A circular counter sits beneath a vaulted ceiling installation that recalls the dome of a contemporary observatory. By day, the surface rests quietly; by night, it transforms into a glowing Milky Way, introducing a restrained theatricality that draws the eye upward and anchors the room in a sense of cosmic wonder.
The Astronomer’s private room
A more secluded experience unfolds in the Private Dining Room, conceived as the imagined living room of an astronomer. The palette is warm and residential, with lounge seating arranged to take advantage of corner views across the city. It is a space that feels generous in daylight and cocooned after dark, offering a quieter counterpoint to the energy of the main lounge.
Two terraces, Two atmospheres
Outdoors, STARS extends into two distinct terraces that each interpret the celestial theme in their own way.
The Main Garden is anchored by a striking golden armillary sphere, with interlocking rings tracing cosmic orbits in a timeless expression of harmony and motion. It becomes both a sculptural centrepiece and a subtle reminder of the project’s astronomical narrative.
The Star‑gazing Garden, by contrast, is more intimate. Tucked away from the main flow, it offers a quieter outdoor living room with soft seating arranged for couples and small groups. Here, the city feels distant, and the sky becomes the primary backdrop.
A corridor of light and reflection
The transition between spaces is handled with particular finesse. A mirrored ceiling elongates the corridor, while reeded glass walls blur the outlines of the garden beyond. A luminous glass belt etched with solar system motifs runs along the passage, creating a gentle, continuous thread that ties the entire venue together. As daylight fades, the corridor shifts character, shimmering with natural reflections by day and glowing softly at night.
A constellation of experiences
STARS is not a single gesture but a constellation of atmospheres: the clarity of daylight, the mystery of night, the social energy of the main lounge and the quiet retreat of the terraces. KOKAISTUDIOS brings these elements together with a light, confident touch, crafting a rooftop destination that feels both expansive and deeply personal.
In a city known for its poetic landscapes, STARS offers a new vantage point, inviting guests to look outward, upward and inward all at once.
Photos: Seth Powers / © KOKAISTUDIOS
