Project: Healing Home
Architects: Noble Fit & Fun Connection
Location: Shanghai, China
Area: 12,916 sf
Year: 2023
Healing Home by Noble Fit & Fun Connection
A residence, fundamentally, is the tangible embodiment of the dweller’s life philosophy and personal style. It serves as the personalized habitat and emotional haven for urban elites. Taking Qingxi Garden, a villa cluster in the western suburbs of Shanghai, as an example, it nestled amidst high-end communities like Tan Gong, Ming Yuan, and Lv Gu not only signifies the living standards of Shanghai’s top-tier affluent individuals but also stands as their distinctive interpretation and self-expression of a high-quality lifestyle.
The value of a modern luxury residence extends beyond its external opulent decor and expansive spatial layout. It is more prominently reflected in the concealed depth behind it—carrying the homeowner’s distinctive aesthetic taste and lifestyle. With an artistic approach, the designer demonstrates exceptional craftsmanship, abandoning complexity in the interior design of Qingxi Garden. The pursuit is for a simple yet profound spatial experience, aiming to create a comprehensive living environment that seamlessly integrates comfort, functionality, and spiritual fulfillment. This endeavor ensures that every family member can find a tranquil sanctuary for their minds within, nurturing and sustaining their individual spiritual worlds.
During in-depth discussions with the homeowners, the designer was profoundly influenced by their optimistic spirit, positive personalities, and profound sense of happiness. Committed to meticulously crafting a modern and inviting home environment, they aspire to mold the house into an ideal oasis in the real world. This sanctuary allows hardworking adults, upon returning home, to maintain a childlike keen perception, genuine honesty, and pure curiosity, approaching life with boundless passion as they explore its endless possibilities.
The independent meditation room on the second floor is the most intriguing space in the home, resembling a secluded healing capsule in a private space. Its abstract form constructs a space that sparks infinite imagination.
When people come home after a long day of work, they often need a moment of solitude and introspection in a ceremonial manner. The designer has reimagined the pathway leading to the meditation room. The rough texture of the natural stone is similar to the original caves. From the moment one steps into the doorway, you have to bend forward, as if walking through a cave only with gentle light along the path.
During the practice of seated meditation, one adjusts the rhythm of their breath and engages in introspection of their true nature. In a fleeting moment, they deeply sense a warm embrace from inner heart, allowing them to reestablish a complete perception of the present environment. This experience further enhances their pure experience of existence, while simultaneously reconnecting with the energy that flows back into their body.
The designer ingeniously utilized the sloping structure adjacent to the study to create a unique space resembling a spaceship compartment. The backlit lighting, outlined by LED strips, as if turn a science fiction to the reality.
On the basis of preserving the original structure, the interior has been transformed to create a more natural sloping roof. The gentle light filtering through the wrapped window resembles a candle in an ancient cave, purifying the mind and bringing clarity and serenity to one’s inner self.
The spiral staircase, with its unique shape in the center, gracefully connects the upper and lower floors through smooth curved lines.
Gentle curves, as the basic design language, covers a significant portion of the space. A unique visual tension is cleverly created in the space through light and structure.
In this residence infused with a modern atmosphere and profound significance, the concept of childlike joy transcends the realm of mere children’s play. It serves as a universal approach to life and a means of expressing emotions, intricately embedded in the design of each living scenario. The goal is to establish a positive and optimistic family space, encouraging all residents, regardless of age, to maintain a child’s curiosity and spirit of exploration. In the face of life’s challenges and uncertainties, the intention is to instill a perpetual sense of love and curiosity.
The designer breaks the traditional principle of separating the space according to motion and stillness, however, he creates an island-like relationship between the open public space and the functional spaces that require privacy. In this way, the communication between the family can be anywhere in the space, therefore, the vitality within the space is more balanced.
This combination of Cassina Dudet dining chairs and stylish AIRNOVA Marilyn dining table not only establishes a seamless connection between the living room and the dining area but also maintains the simple and soft background tone of the living room.
The kitchen is designed for both Chinese and Western style where the elegant and charming long bar counter, crafted from natural stone, adds a touch of grace to the space. On the other hand, modern Poltrona Frau bar stools with vivid color hues injects a sense of fun and artistic into the space. As you gaze from the island counter towards the windows, the wall with folding pattern and lava pendant light from Tom Dixon’s MELT immerse you in a graceful and dreamy waltz.
The low-saturation cream-themed color with warm texture in the whole space, combined with smooth flow and concealed storage spaces, has successfully achieved a clean environment with minimalist style.
The pitless screw elevator with a futuristic light is designed for daily use.
There is a secret base in the children’s cloakroom, if you open the door of closet, you will find a channel to attic which allures both adults and children to get in. By boldly integrating playful architectural elements into the design of the residence, it becomes more than just a paradise for children; it becomes a utopia for everyone, where their dreams and ideals all come to life. Each crawl represents an unknown journey of exploration, allowing individuals to immerse themselves in boundless imagination and joy. Our curiosity is awakened through each interaction with the environment, as if constantly watering and nurturing a forest within the depths of our inner childlike realm.
A home is not merely a functional container; it is a space that connects with the universe and all things in the present moment. It is both a cave and a sanctuary, and above all, each daily practice has been well-documented.
Indeed, Le Corbusier, over a hundred years ago, boldly proclaimed the idea of “a house is a machine for living.” This statement not only implied that houses can be massively produced, with humans as the users, but also separated the spiritual needs from the physical space. It offered the potential development of interior design.
The designer utilizes a two-story high living room and creates a “space capsule” at the top, where one can reading alone without interrupting, and even overlook the activities within the entire living room from above. This design brings a tangible representation of the relationships between family members—they look into each other’s eyes and instantly shift attention to elsewhere. One can fully be themselves even in family groups. It is perhaps the most beautiful scene in family life.
-Project description and images provided by ZZ Media PR
