A certified art collector’s rarefied tastes informed STUDIO8‘s design of this Shanghai Puro apartment, featuring an inventive layout that prioritises artistic expression and openness. The property was revamped from a three-bedroom, two-living-room layout into a singular expansive abode that necessitates careful design to guide movement through the space, which is awash in exposure to the light afforded through the numerous windows and walk-throughs.
The sense of home begins the moment the elevator doors open. The redesigned elevator hall, clad in uniform stone, extends with the aid of lighting and mirrors.
In terms of the overall layout, the original master bedroom on the south side was opened up and integrated into the living room, forming a large, open, south-facing space that serves as the living area. The two rooms on the north side were combined into one quieter and more private master bedroom, ultimately transforming the apartment into a one-bedroom, one-living-room space.
Now the new expansive, continuous living space required the establishment of hierarchies to maintain appropriate centrality in different areas to create migratory circulating routes. The living room, reception area, and open island kitchen each form an island centered around a piece of furniture, around which people’s activities and conversations unfold freely.
The centerpiece of the living room is a dining table steeped in history and stories, around which the owner’s daily work and gatherings with friends revolve. This table is crafted from a piece of brass and two semi-transparent resin panels joined together, dovetailed with a solid wood tabletop that reveals exquisite brass lines. The resin panels divide the long table into three equal parts, paired with armchairs in the form of intersecting seats, welcoming each seated guest equally. The brass plate will change color over time, bearing the marks of age, while the resin panels allow light from the opposite side to filter through, connecting with the surrounding space.
The lounge area at the other end of the dining table is relatively more private; it can serve as a temporary guest room when the sliding door is closed and opens up to connect the space when the door is open.
Hanging in the center of the wall is Julian Opie’s portrait “Walking in Hackney.2.2016,” the owner’s favorite large artwork, and the only fixed piece in the space. The people coming and going in the painting resonate with the fluidity of the space, as if the figures could step into the room to meet the viewers. The orange background sets a lively tone for the entire living room. Lighting design in the corners extends the space, outlining another art installation, “Spine.” Other artworks, like the people coming and going in the lounge area, freely circulate within the space, even imbuing the simple guest bathroom with artistic flair.
On one side of the open kitchen is a wall of volcanic rock and a stainless steel wine cabinet, creating a contrast between the rough and the sharp. On the other side of the wood-colored wall, behind an invisible axis door, is the private master bedroom. Passing through the open walk-in closet and the master bathroom on the right, the bedroom features simple lighting design to create a tranquil environment.
The main bathroom shower space is located behind a narrow window and can be shielded by the sliding door of the walk-in closet. Given the limited ceiling height, we adopted a no-ceiling design, with concealed lighting as much as possible, accented by artistic light sources to create a warm home atmosphere.
Besides the owner’s collection of artworks and furniture, our custom-designed furniture serves both as decoration and sculpture, seamlessly blending into the living space. The shoe-changing bench in the elevator hall and the dining table in the living room are both from our furniture brand, “CAOZITOU.” The bench is made from seabed stone from France, each piece containing different shell densities, revealing the traces of shells upon close inspection, imbuing the bench with solidity and vitality. Furthermore, it also serves as a lighting fixture, welcoming the homeowner with a night light at the entrance.
Space Usage Projects Owner’s Aesthetics and Lifestyle
Life is ever-changing and full of possibilities, and the specific use of space is no longer limited to a single function. The soul of residential space design lies in the owner’s aesthetics and lifestyle. As designers, we need to maintain an appropriate distance between our clients, balancing tension and relaxation. We must meticulously design every detail while allowing enough freedom, including the flexibility of space usage over time, providing enough room for imagination, and embracing all the possibilities of life.
