Inspired by Tang Dynasty poetry, this Yangzhou project integrates Chinese architectural elements and poetic landscapes to harmonize modern living with cultural aesthetics
This energy project in Yangzhou, China, was inspired by the poem, "Spring River Flower Moonlight Night" by Tang Dynasty poet, Zhang Ruoxu. Our creative goal was ‘to bring artistic aesthetics into daily life through Chinese architectural elements and poetic landscapes’, to make residents feel the perfect combination of poetry and reality. Our founder and design director, Simon Chong, often reflects on how to find the right compatibility between Chinese culture and modern life in design. This project embodied that exact challenge and opportunity for the team, who attach great importance to the flexibility and practicality of space. In this scenario, they broke up the traditional floor plan and adopted an open design to enable the indoor space to be more transparent and coherent, encouraging one to find peace of mind and a sense of belonging. Each functional area has been carefully planned to maintain independence while being connected to each other to form a complete living space.
A sculpture "Dreams as Horses - Encounter" has been placed in the reception hall, hoping to resonate with the story of Liu Xijun, the princess of Jiangdu in the Western Han Dynasty. This artwork not only brings visual enjoyment, but also aspires to arouse the viewer’s thoughts about history and culture. Meanwhile, the front lobby’s marble floor and high ceiling create a bright, spacious feel, adding to the luxurious sentiment and echoing curation of selected art pieces.
Another focus of the project is the sculpture "Life - Wisdom Ferry", which commemorates the history of Japanese monks Rongrui and Puzhao studying in Yangzhou. This not only reflects the cultural exchanges between Yangzhou and the world, but also inherits this precious history. The landscape design surrounding is mainly based on natural elements, combined with green plants and water features, creating a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere. In addition, the design team leveraged an abundance of Chinese red colour throughout to convey a strong cultural linkage, as well as promoting viewers to immerse in the depth and beauty of culture in the space.