Project Overview

Home is our primary space. Whether through spatial design and renovation, or the integration of natural landscaping and scenery, the goal is to create a harmony between people and their environment. This allows the lifestyle preferences of each family member to be seamlessly incorporated, enabling a balance between comfortable togetherness and individual independence. It's about experiencing life through nature, finding elegance in everyday moments, and discovering comfort and warmth within that elegance. Ideal living isn't found elsewhere—it's right here, in this serene and free space.

Organisation

Chengdu Pocheng Interior Design Co., Ltd

Team

Zhang Yu, Zhang Yuling

Project Brief

The basement not only features landscaping in the foyer but also brings in natural light through a skylight in the sofa lounge area, creating a beautiful indoor landscape. In the sunlit underground lounge, the extended Western kitchen seems to stretch space and time under the influence of light, like a form of photosynthesis. Whether enjoying a drink, sipping tea, or entertaining guests, the homeowner's precious moments are beautifully extended in this harmonious setting. The dual-flow layout and transparent glass wine cabinet design enhance the openness of the space, allowing for a seamless visual connection. This thoughtful design fosters greater interaction and convenience between the living room and dining area, making the spaces more fluid and interconnected. The dining room faces the garden, making it feel as if each meal is enjoyed amidst the changing seasons, presenting the harmony between man and nature. The large round table fosters a sense of family togetherness, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere. While dining, you can also take in the serene garden views, blending peace and lightness with the joy of shared moments. The Chinese kitchen serves as a strong support for the male homeowner's social gatherings. A large window is deliberately placed in the prep area, allowing the person cooking to enjoy the outdoor scenery while preparing meals, all while being bathed in sunlight. This thoughtful design ensures that even during meal prep, one can still feel connected to nature.

Project Innovation/Need

The way people move through life is an external expression of space, but changes in space are not made for the sake of design alone. Instead, they exist to enhance the experience and usability for those who inhabit it. We removed the original closet in the master bedroom and transformed it into a more convenient walk-in closet. Through thoughtful design, we achieved a balance between aesthetics and storage, ensuring both functionality and practical comfort. The bathroom borrows part of the study's space, creating a dramatic intertwining of personal footprints within the space. With a fireplace, a large bathtub, and floor-to-ceiling windows, the master bathroom blurs the boundaries of the defined space. In this moment of cleansing and relaxation, a natural sense of comfort is born and effortlessly spreads throughout, creating a serene and soothing atmosphere.

Design Challenge

During the design process, it is essential to balance the communal activities of family members with the independence of personal spaces, ensuring that everyone feels comfortable in shared areas while maintaining their own private spaces. The basement has significant issues with darkness, dampness, and mold, so it is necessary to cleverly introduce natural light to break the sense of enclosure and create a bright and comfortable environment. This requires innovation in material selection, window layout, and spatial structure. The design of the stairs and public areas needs to effectively link different functional spaces while maintaining visual transparency and continuity to avoid visual barriers. Additionally, the design process must consider principles of environmental protection and sustainability by using natural materials and energy-saving solutions to reduce energy consumption and enhance the quality of the living environment.

Sustainability

Light serves as a flowing indoor landscape, influencing our emotions, daily lives, and perception of time. Darkness, dampness, and mildew are common issues that plague villa basements. To address this, we used light as a guiding element, breaking down the spatial barriers and transforming the basement into a sunlit lounge. Adequate lighting reduces the use of a large amount of light, saving energy and reducing consumption.

In the original house structure, the entrance foyer's partition wall divided the space into two parts, creating two additional side doors, which made the area feel somewhat closed off and cramped. We replaced the doors with columns, not only enhancing the sense of formality upon entering but also maximizing the scale and duration of natural light entering the space. This design ensures that sunlight and the surrounding landscape are always within reach. The A-side of the entrance foyer features a skylight overhead, while the partition wall is crafted from luxurious Pral Verde stone with a hollowed-out design. This creates a sense of ceremony upon entering，and the introduction of a large amount of natural light not only saves energy and reduces consumption, but also adds an intriguing play of light and shadow as it filters into the space. Stones, planted trees, and natural wood veneer are carefully arranged, with sunlight gently filtering down from above. This small natural landscape not only expands the sense of space and enhances the organic aesthetic, but also infuses the entire area with the vitality of green, sustainable living.