Chih Da Lin, chief designer of Superorganism Architects, spent two and a half years polishing and refining the "Let's Play" design theme of this unconventional home for a creative couple in the heart of Shanghai

Shanghai, China

A Home for Producers by Chih Da Lin of Superorganism Architects is a special type of home with extreme care for detail, located on Lake Ville V, in Xintiandi, the heart of downtown Shanghai.

As a top landmark in Shanghai, Lake Ville V is not only a residence but also a symbol of Shanghai’s cultural heritage, carrying the unique style and artistic atmosphere of the city.

In the design scheme an integration of the East and the West, classic and trendy, and fashionable and timeless, culminates in a harmonious dialogue with time and space.

The clients are an accomplished couple in the film industry with great artistic sense and taste.

As the house is not the couple’s main residence, it seres as a place for them to meet friends, socialize, be inspired, and cultivate creative energy.

Although in most cases the space is exclusive for the couple, the functionality of the space is of paramount importance in order to meet the demand for the clients’ daily social activities and gatherings.

With a thorough understanding of the clients’ character and lifestyles, the designer paid more attention to the movement of the space, and whether the sense of harmony matched their distinct lifestyles.

Conventional concepts of ‘home’ were abandoned in order to transform the layout from a traditional single-family flat into a revolutionary villa featuring a bright and airy space on the ground level, with an independent and private space on the second floor, delivering diverse choices for daily living.

Inspired by Shanghai’s unique romantic culture, the architect transformed the linear image that echoes the details of the Shikumen in Shanghai’s Xintiandi into a design language that runs through the whole set of the hardscaping design.

Differentiating from traditionally popular rounded designs, Lin has created a stylish curved design imbued with Shanghai features in a fusion of the East and West.

In addition to the eye-catching arch shape of the entrance, the lower corner of the partition wall between the entrance and the living room, a large area of the living room backdrop’s molding edge, the arch at the end of the channel doorway, and many other interior design elements all demonstrate the signature curvature.

This subtle design element helps make the lines smooth and permeable, softening the angularity and giving the space a sense of style and artistic character.

Whether a whole functional area or a corner of a space, soft furnishings were vital elements for overall space dynamics.

The designer strictly adhered to this key point throughout the design process, integrating hard and soft furnishings for a natural and smooth space layout.

Each detail was painstakingly refined for the ultimate and fullest effect.

In the design of the revolving staircase, the sense of curvature of the whole space was maintained by perfectly splicing pieces of wood veneer to elegantly wrap around the staircase.

In addition, each piece of wood veneer is integrated into every staircase step by hand to achieve a seamless look.

The outdoor space of nearly 200 square meters is designed for various activities in the garden.

This exquisite two-story home with garden paths and soft furnishings reaches another level of luxury and elegance, subtly blending historical style with contemporary lifestyle.

The entrance of this special home is quite spacious as compared to others, featuring a curved Shikumen arch shape, a reflection of the surrounding atmosphere.

The living room is spacious and grand, connecting with the dining room at the corner, the western-style kitchen, and the center island.

With the open design, everything can be seen at a glance.

The large floor to ceiling windows on the first floor look out into the courtyard, offering a panoramic view of the elegant landscape.

The spacious common area is linked with the courtyard and can accommodate various forms of social gatherings.

Working interactively with the indoor space, the chic outdoor garden courtyard is specially designed for this unique home type with a sunny open-air space, perfect for chatting and relaxing after dining in the fresh air.

A vital passageway for both connecting and separating spaces, the corridor utilizes a clever layering method in its interior design to keep things interesting, while lighting plays a harmonizing role to drive the overall atmosphere.

The first floor corridor resembles a time tunnel and also ingeniously hides the kitchen and entrance way.

One of the quietest spaces of the entire home, the study is a place where absolute privacy is a must for creative thinking and focused work.

Equipped with a bathroom and cloakroom, the second floor master bedroom is a resting space for when the resident occasionally returns home late and wants to avoid disturbing their spouse.