"OASIS"
2023
interior
residence
This project entails the interior design of a 35th-floor high-rise residence in a bustling urban landscape with towering buildings in Beijing. The primary focus lies in accommodating a three-member family and their cat, aiming to create a veritable oasis amidst the artificially constructed cityscape. The layout encompasses a two-bedroom configuration, including a living-dining area and kitchen, complemented by three bathrooms.
A DIVERSE RANGE OF SCALES
In an artificial high-rise environment devoid of natural elements, our primary objective for this project was to create a calming space where a family of three and their indoor cat could coexist comfortably, surrounded by numerous plants. Recognizing the differing scales and behaviors of adults, children, and cats, we meticulously designed the space to accommodate these variations.
By integrating multiple functions into furniture and considering diverse uses and scales, we aimed to enrich the limited space. For instance, catwalks that also house plants, furniture designed to seamlessly include plant pots, and multi-functional pieces usable by both humans and cats were key elements.
The cat-specific areas feature organic designs inspired by nature, contrasting with geometric forms to provide unique design accents that enhance the overall aesthetic. This approach not only meets the needs of the inhabitants but also introduces intriguing visual elements not typically found in spaces designed solely for humans.
project data
realization: 2023
location: beijing, china
building area: 123sqm
photos: Wen Studio / 123 architects
THE LIVING / DINING ENVELOPED BY GREENERY
The entirety of the space is characterized by a pristine and minimalist aesthetic, with organic curves incorporated into the design of cat door openings and catwalks within the living and dining areas. These elements serve as accent features, enhancing the overall simplicity of the space and creating a soothing ambiance. Positioned behind the living room sofa, a series of circular steps with a diameter of 400mm provides access to the catwalk, catering not only to the cat but also allowing for the inclusion of potted flora.
The custom-designed sofa in the living room boasts a backrest with a recessed central contour, providing a cozy resting spot for a cat and a comfortable seating area for children. Complementing the sofa are bespoke furnishings, including a low table and stools crafted from three-dimensional stainless steel pipes, exhibiting sinuous forms that harmonize with the organic design theme. An original floor lamp further adds to the ensemble. Additionally, an original green bench, strategically placed at the boundary between the living and dining spaces, features a receptacle for plants, embodying the organic design concept and contributing to the serene ambiance of the room.
The dining table is constructed with a flooring-matching artificial stone surface, consciously designed with child safety in mind, featuring seamless contours and devoid of sharp edges. Suspending above it is an original pendant light, intricately crafted through the utilization of a 3D printer, evoking the enchanting shimmer akin to that of stars. Furthermore, circular luminaires and reflective stainless steel elements are strategically placed atop. These stainless steel surfaces, through their reflections, enable the perception of the nearby flowing river and the verdant foliage of the neighboring park, extending the visual experience beyond the immediate vicinity of the windows, particularly in the upper levels. The comprehensive design of this space, encompassing the inclusion of a catwalk, has been thoughtfully premeditated to accommodate an abundant array of plants, ensuring their seamless integration within the environment.
THE GLEAMING KITCHEN
The kitchen is adorned with furnishings in a lustrous silver hue, providing the option for both a closed and open layout by means of folding doors. It harmoniously blends with the adjacent living and dining areas, featuring a white artificial marble countertop with graceful curves that acts as a delineator.
MAIN BATHROOM THE BATHROOM WITH AN OASIS LAKE
The original sink in the main bathroom is intricately designed to evoke the serene ambiance of a desert oasis pond. The mirror lights are thoughtfully crafted to reflect and oscillate akin to the ethereal moonlight dancing upon the water's surface. The bathtub, adorned with pristine white engineered marble, encompasses convenient stairs for accessibility and incorporates a semicircular seating area in proximity to the shower, ingeniously fashioned to accommodate playful activities for children and serve as a designated spot for cat bathing.
THE BEDROOM BATHED IN WARM HUES
Several doors, including those within the bedroom, have been equipped with small organic-shaped openings to facilitate unrestricted movement for the cats, thereby dissolving boundaries and reconfiguring traditional room relationships. With the intention of creating a cozier and more serene sleeping environment, the floor is adorned with wooden flooring, complemented by soft, warm-toned curtains and indirect lighting. Adjacent to the bed, an original furniture piece fashioned from white artificial marble cylinders has been meticulously designed, featuring a discreet aperture at its rear that allows for phone charging while providing a designated compartment within the cylinder. This innovative design also incorporates petite plant pots and serves as a multifunctional bench where children can rest. Sunlight gracefully filters through the fabric of the warm-colored curtains, imbuing the pristine white space with a gentle ambiance, while the openings in the doors, specially crafted for the cat, serve as conduits, diffusing the tender light into the hallway.
THE LIME GREEN STUDY ROOM
During the early years of a child's life, this room serves as a study area and is subsequently intended to transition into a dedicated bedroom. It adopts a minimalist aesthetic with a pristine white color scheme, complemented by warm hues of lime green curtains that emanate a serene and soothing ambiance. The ceiling lighting, adorned with reflective stainless steel, artfully reflects the surrounding natural elements and indoor foliage, akin to the lighting fixtures in the dining space. Adorning the white piano are meticulously curated photo frames and diminutive mirrors, each one meticulously crafted and bearing its own distinctive design.
THE BATHROOMS IN SHADES OF RED AND YELLOW
The compact toilet, adorned with red wall tiles and red grout, serves as a guest facility, ingeniously incorporating a functional sink within its limited space. The adjacent shower room, equipped with an integrated toilet, showcases a design of yellow tones using identical materials. Like the bedrooms and study room, the interplay of colors emanating from each space imparts a dynamic character to the hallway.
THE CONCEALED DISPLAY SWITCHES
In a manner similar to the steps of the catwalk, discrete circular plates are incorporated into the wall at a precise height of 800mm from the floor, discreetly concealing the switches positioned beneath. These plates provide an elegant platform for the display of petite flora and delicate vases.
GRADATION OF INTERPERSONAL DYNAMICS
The demand for more comfortable and appealing living spaces has increased. Consequently, the concept of an oasis emerged as a guiding principle for the project. Within the confines of limited space, meticulous attention was given to ensuring that the individual living areas for each family member, as well as the feline inhabitants, could coexist harmoniously. This allowed for both separation and overlap, fostering a sense of shared space. The project's design aimed to elicit and regulate the perception of proximity and interconnectedness through a gradual gradation, thereby facilitating a serene and adaptive living experience.
