We can still find ourselves even living in a prosperous metropolis. This mansion is nestled on the top floor of an old house in the former French Concession area. The client is a lovely couple, Chinese husband and European wife, yearning to avoid the hustle and bustle. This chemical reaction of Chinese and Western lifestyles is integrated into our design ideology. The house was a more than 50 years brick-wood entity and our renovation is on the basis of respect for its history. In this premise, we removed the suspended ceiling to carefully restore the original wood structure. The mezzanine has been set up by fully utilization of its original 7 m floor height, inviting floor-to-ceiling windows and eave-opening skylights that not only can satisfied with client’s requirement but enhance air circulation and bring natural inside.

 

 

 

Based on long-term talk and profoundly acquaint with the client’s daily living, the space is divided into private and public, dynamic and quiet areas. Beginning from the foyer, the left side is the private area, and the right side is public area. In the master suite on the left side, there are bedroom, bathroom, built-in wardrobe and balcony on the first floor, the walk-in closet is located on the mezzanine. On the right side, the wall partition has been all removed to free and flow the space, open-plan kitchen has been introduced and freely connect with living area, meanwhile, tea room, yoga space, terrace, guest room and storage is planed in the mezzanine, which can easily communicate with who sitting in the living room.

 

 

 

Seeking a peaceful state, we treats and defines space in a very pure way by using modern lines, white walls and wood floor. The black metal fireplace is designed and introduced in the center of living room to satisfied with client’s enjoyment of hanging out with several friends around it. Old and new, western and eastern furniture and objects are all mix and matched in this house. The clients are enthusiastic about travelling and packed with the collections of various countries-tapestries from Chile, porch cabinets from Morocco, utensils from Thailand, wood carvings from Africa, which adds variety colour inside.