Archisteem 21: Friendly Architecture Curation - An Elegant Place to Grow Up in Shanghai
Today's curated project: An Elegant Home to Grow Up
Today’s sharing is about a theme that I loved for home. I felt this is something similar to the theme that Muji used for their stores identity too. Minimalistic, bright and light.
This project is led by Kai Liu from RIGI Design took place in Shanghai, China. The project covered an approximate 240m² of 3 stories terrace house and was completed in 2017. The project is a renovation work to turn the old building into a more livable modern house that fits into the context.
I came across this project on Youtube from a channel that I subscribed.
This project is located in the old region of Shanghai with a lot of terrace residential blocks. Originally, the building was completed in 1947 with 3 floors and 5.5 meters in width. The building front is strategically facing south, which reduces a large amount of sunlight penetrating the building. However, this also made the building to have bad indoor lighting as the building is 15.2 meters deep. This is the usual problem that most of China’s old houses faced. Poor ventilation and lighting had caused inconvenience and discomfort for the residents.
Hence, the architect had approached these two issues with an elegant touch. From the before and after diagram, we can clearly see the difference and intervention done. Previously, the house had rooms with a lot of walls, closing up and obstructing the daylight penetration into the center of the house. Even the air well in the middle has little effect as it was also blocked by solid walls. Now, the architect introduced glass wall that allows more light through and reduced the numbers of walls in within. This not only opens up spaces, yet it creates a wider and friendlier space for the resident. For example, the ground floor is the best proof for such open plan concept. We can enjoy the interior of the house from the front to the end, making the house visually larger and brighter. This could be applying to our context housing. I will tend to propose open plan ground floor design for clients as I believe this space has more quality than segmented with rooms (unless we are talking about freaking big mansion or palace).
Then, the architect wants to add in beauty and happiness through interior design. We can observe that the interior is mainly decorated with bright wooden texture finishing, white flush wall, and light coloured furniture. This makes the house feels so much lighter and stress-less. Personally, I am a fan of bright and less contrast kind of design. This brings a kind of Zen to me when I am at home. Something to take note is that, with such bright and light themed, it is best to stay minimalist in furniture choices. An additional feature that enhances the space’s elegance is the curve in every corner of the house.
Talking about space arrangement, I think the architect had done a good job in making sure all rooms get their fair share of lighting. There are literally no wasted corners in the house and all available spaces are optimized fully for storage as well. The floor area that is sacrificed for the stair’s atrium is also kept to the minimal too.
Like the architect said, a house is not equal to home unless it is built specifically for the family. A house is just a vessel that enables people to take a shade and rest while a home is where the family grows and experiences life. Through design, it brings more colors and excitement into their life.
What do you think about such renovation? Do you love the bright and elegant theme?
Source of images used and reference article. Click here
Hope you enjoy the curation. If you have any projects that you wished to be curated, do drop a comment to me. Any critics and suggestions about my curation are welcome!
This is an #archisteem post.
A new tag that is to curate our existing built environment and also future built environment development. Want to know more? Read here.
Join us @steemitbloggers
Animation By @zord189
Find me at @kimzwarch
Join us @steemitbloggers
Animation By @zord189
Today restoration is a great theme. This project is interesting for the difficulties of light (scarcity) and for the approach. Basically only the vertical connection has been revised. It is an interior design project. It's definitely a good job but I would have left the courtyard empty :)
Ya, I would say the biggest change is how the spaces connect vertically. Structurally, there is no changes as it would have affect the neighbouring unit as well (shared load bearing wall). However, you can see the facade has improved from the old casement window into a larger opening space frame window. Btw, I don't think there's any courtyard but only stairwell.
I was talking about the space in front of the entrance... I don't like so much this:
Anyway it is just a detail...
Oh, I see. Haha, forget about that little hut out there.
You've been upvoted by TeamMalaysia community. Do checkout other posts made by other TeamMalaysia authors at http://steemit.com/created/teammalaysia
To support the growth of TeamMalaysia Follow our upvotes by using steemauto.com and follow trail of @myach
Vote TeamMalaysia witness bitrocker2020 using this link vote for witness
I really like the design, especially when it contain green house concept.
The future needs it.
Yup, I’m a fan of the concept too. We need more green around us.
Even now I'm seeing 20-30 years old trees are being cut down just to make way for LRT, my heart pains to see that.
Cut down trees = 2k to 3k
Move a tree = >10k
Unless we have a mandatory law that says not to cut down any trees. Same here, the old trees are precious in comparison with the cost.
Totally agree!
Plus they are not replacing with new ones, the ecosystem are severely damaged.
Maybe we need a system that could bring down the cost of moving a tree, then I think everyone will opt for moving a tree than cutting down one.
That would be great if such a thing apply here.
Ya, that would be great for environment ;)
Oh, this is gorgeous. There is so much more open space and light. I love the changes made!
Ya, me too. We can see how important it is to ensure the light and ventilation is sufficient in the interior spaces.
Oh this is nice! I always love to see makeovers like this. Very therapeutic. I've always admire interior designers that can help turn a shabby house into a new look! Haha thanks for sharing this @kimzwarch! :)
Cool @michelleloh168, from a shabby space into a bright new look. That’s satisfaction right there!