With Shougang playing a pivotal role in the Winter Olympics for Beijing 2022, there was obviously a requirement to provide top level accommodations and hospitality for the many international and domestic organizers along with media representatives. Recently, I had the opportunity to witness a world-leading hotel brand open a location within what had once been a power station for the Shougang Steelworks. Located a short distance from the Big Air venue, Shangri-La Shougang Park hotel opened its doors in December 2021 shortly before the inaugural opening ceremony of the Games. Already, it is attracting considerable worldwide attention for how a relic of an earlier industrial era has been transformed into such a unique, very attractive hotel.

Obviously, the hotel combines many elements, guest rooms, a fitness centre anddining facilities expected from such a renowned brand; however, it is the other features that are eye catching.

Its spacious ground floor area is rich in natural light. Upon entering from outside I became aware that there was not the normal pleasant fragrance usually fed into hotel air-conditioning. Instead, it was a sense of natural freshness created by extensive growth of sub-tropical plants. By creating a charming greenness, this acted as a botanical air filtering system, doing exactly what happens in parklands or forests. The building's exterior facade interestingly wraps around the original industrial superstructure, with floor to roof glass panels allowing considerable internal brightness. This also an integral factor in sustaining the growth of its abundant internal green foliage.