Opened earlier this year, Sheraton Shenzhou in Hainan incorporates the best of contemporary beach resort design with a pervasive Chinese essence. BUZ Design, under the direction of founder and Managing Director, J Lee Rofkind, was responsible for the design and implementation of all “front-of-house” areas in the resort.
Formed in 2001, BUZ Design is an internationally acclaimed interior design company. With a specialization in high quality hospitality and leisure projects including, hotels, resorts, spas and club houses, BUZ Design has worked with a number of the major five-star property operators, including (amongst others), The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Ritz Carlton, Shangri-La Hotels and Starwood Hotels and Resorts.
Readied with extensive knowledge of the Asian marketplace, accumulated through years of research and partnership building, BUZ Design is dedicated to developing a close working relationship with their clients throughout the world.
Located roughly equidistant from Sanya and Haikou, the newly developed ShenzhouPeninsula is a modern haven of stunningly beautiful beachfront properties in Hainan. Soon after China cleverly invested in the Hainan High Speed Rail, CITIC Pacific began development of ShenzhouPeninsula. Situated in the heart of this burgeoning land mass is the brand new Sheraton Shenzhou Resort.
BUZ Design’s impact on this project is felt immediately upon entering the resort. In the expansive lobby, Rofkind created the design ideal of a resort lodge, yet with intrinsic Chinese character. The lobby opens to pool and ocean front views, contains custom-designed modern furniture and lighting elements and has huge lanterns that gently sway with the ocean breeze.
Given the project’s building design by WATG Honolulu, one of the world’s top resort architectural practices (where coincidentally she once worked), Rofkind was inspired by her time in Hawaii and the open, warm feel of its resorts. Rofkind explains, “The architects had this wonderful flagstone on their exterior columns and we thought it was important to bring the stone into the lobby and interiors throughout the hotel. Our concept for this project was influenced by The Lodge in Kauai, which is a very rustic and beautiful resort on a small island in Hawaii. This hotel is a transitional (classic and contemporary) luxurious design targeted for a mature market as opposed to the adjacent property which was is contemporary in design, for a younger, lower budget market.”
The rustic design ideal is continued into the welcoming all-day dining facility. Using the stone, timber and screens utilized throughout the project, the designers were able to create a space that is as much rustic, minimal and welcoming as it is practical. Heeding the resort’s need for a spacious dining space with a large buffet requirement, BUZ was nevertheless able to create intimate and comfortable space.
The guest rooms are equally stunning and contain a number of clever design elements. Most of the bathrooms have large sliding panels to open the view from the bath to the guestroom and beach scenes beyond, at the same time flooding the bath with natural light. BUZ designed the built in sofa to be large and comfortable enough for a child to sleep on. This ingenious design element limits the need for hotel cots, which are not ideal and can ruin flooring. The room uses environmentally friendly bamboo flooring and has headboard panels made out of carved wood with a gold leaf background. Tropical accents are used throughout: the bedside lamp is made of coconut shell and the desk mirror frame made of mother of pearl. Additionally, the rooms are decorated with pieces of framed Chinese tribal jewellery. Designed to be lighter and airier, the Presidential Suite is a comfortable design with more pronounced contemporary Chinese elements. Complete with living room, two bedrooms, formal dining area, kitchen and wet bar, this space is embodiment of modern luxury.
The five-year project was not without its challenges and the professionals at BUZ Design were often asked to demonstrate their trademark versatility. When construction documents were edited to create ceiling heights which were too low, Rofkind and her team adapted their spaces on the fly.
Upon finding their material requests substituted, Rofkind personally visited factories in China to work side-by-side with the manufacturers to find mutually acceptable solutions. From start to finish, a dedication to an artistically designed and functional final product guided the BUZ team throughout. This adaptability highlights the firm’s ability to convey their experience and expertise to projects in China and throughout the world.
It is good to note that BUZ Design is a global practice and has successfully completed several award-winning projects around the world. In addition to an impressive breadth of projects competed in Mainland China, the practice has completed works in Geneva Switzerland, Singapore, Macau, Montreal Canada, Bangkok Thailand and Bali. Another very recent opening of a successful project by BUZ Design is the newly renovated Ritz- Carlton Montreal.
BUZ designed the public areas and guestrooms following the classic 1912 sensibilities of the architecture with contemporary twists in the furnishings and finishes. 
Perhaps one of their most popular projects is the exclusive men only barbershop in the Hong Kong Mandarin Oriental. Completed in 2007, the high-end male-focused pampering facility is complete with art deco red-leather lounge chairs and dapper private treatment rooms.
Tentatively due to open at the end of the year, in time for Chinese New Year, BUZ Design is especially proud of their recent work at The Mandarin Oriental, Pudong, Shanghai. In this project, BUZ was responsible for leading the concept designs for the public areas including the lobby, lobby-lounge, MO Bar, executive lounge, spa and fitness centre. Additionally, BUZ Design is currently working at The Landmark, Hong Kong . Their scope includes renovation of the presidential suite, new concepts for the guest rooms and a lifestyle store for the spa.
Before founding BUZ Design, Managing Director, J Lee Rofkind accumulated vast experience in the architectural and design industries. With over twenty years in Hong Kong and well appointed with an architectural background, J Lee has previously served as Design Director for Hyatt International. In this role, J Lee worked on construction, renovation and design for Hyatt properties throughout Asia.
Given her extensive work in the hospitality industry, Rofkind has a unique sensibility regarding the practical functionality and design subtleties of resort projects. She is a Past President of the Hong Kong Chapter of AIA (American Institute of Architects), serving from 2010-2011. Additionally, Rofkind is a professional member of the Hong Kong Interior Design Association (HKIDA) and in 2009 was accredited as a LEED AP.
When hiring BUZ Design, clients are partnering with a unique company who has the ability to incorporate diverse skills into one co-ordinated concept. Clients are ensured a strong, well-considered, homogenous scheme that extends throughout all areas of the hotel. Although BUZ Design is growing, they have remained selective when choosing projects, always ensuring a close working relationship with consistently satisfied customers. It is worth noting that CITIC Pacific was so pleased with their work on Sheraton Shenzhou that they have already hired the practice for additional projects in PRC.
Rofkind expounds; “The most important element of any design firm is their people and I am very fortunate to have conscientious and talented designers for support in the BUZ office. We are cautious when selecting projects, handling them thoughtfully and with dedication. This philosophy allows us to give each client and project the attention to detail they deserve.”
For more information on BUZ Design, please visit their website: www.buzdesign.biz.