AD architecture designed a penthouse in Chaozhou that is very special

In this project, we explore a state of calmness in architecture. This calmness is not only for the space, but it's also for the people who live in the city. This reflects the practice's attitude towards design and reflection on the city's evolution.

The architects believe that good design should be based on rational aesthetics, which was popular in the 20th century. Minimalist functionality, which makes things less mechanical, is one way that this philosophy has influenced architecture. This project explores a state of calmness, which is not just for the space, but also for the people who use it.

Background

The penthouse is home to an overseas returnee who is interested in car culture. It is located in Chaozhou, a city with a long history. Sitting on the top of a tall building, the apartment enjoys a full view of the river and a 270-degree view of natural landscapes in Shantou, Chaozhou, and Jieyang. The simple residential structure and favorable natural resources gave the design team a lot of freedom to come up with the design.

Undefined space — Ice & Fire

The young car racer is also interested in architecture. He seems calm on the outside, but is really passionate about it inside. AD ARCHITECTURE designed a home that would represent the young racer's personality, and for this reason, the design team conceived of a tranquil living environment with quietness, nature, and sunlight. This is a space that belongs to the person living in it, and not to society or the government.

Openness & Restraint

This layout features open spaces and minimalist design, which makes the home feel calm and peaceful. The white color shades emphasize the owner and his hobbies, while also creating a background for other things in the home, like art. The large areas of blank surfaces make it easy to focus on what you're doing, and the restrained style reflects the owner's personality and interests.

Natural Experience

The white coatings, stainless steel, and wooden veneers create a hard, clean, and natural atmosphere, while the large solid-colored sintered stone flooring in open areas gives a natural and peaceful feel, and the wooden floorboards in the bedrooms create a warm and delicate sleep environment. This restrained design language makes the space comfortable.

Free Plane

The spatial pattern of the building's interior tells us that there are areas that are connected by spaces that are transitional. So, the design team took advantage of the space on the large balcony to create a family communication center and a landscape balcony that's connected by a few spaces. This makes it easy for people to move around and eat their meals in a comfortable space.

The 8-meter-long transitional space at the entrance helps connect the living room with the dining room, and it also helps make the areas more distinct. The terrazzo flooring extends from the floor to the walls, and it helps create a sense of boundary, which makes it easier to understand where different areas are. When you walk through the door, you'll immediately experience a free spatial ambience. The artworks on the walls help guide the way you circulate. In the center, there's a huge Hulkbuster armor, which is a great display piece.

The sofa area, the open study area, the display cabinet, the bar counter, the car racing simulator, and the tea bar all make up an open space. Functional areas are separated by glass boxes, but the height difference between them doesn't mean there are any definite boundaries between them. The design goal is to create a space that is free and relaxing, so people can interact more easily between the different areas.

The arrangement of the bedroom where the three areas are semi-open helps create an open and free living environment.

Ambiguity

Xie Peihe believes that the design of residences and offices doesn't have to be limited to the physical properties of those spaces, especially since working from home is becoming a common way of life after the pandemic. In this context, space can be categorized in a way that doesn't have any clear boundaries, so designers should continue exploring different possibilities for space in the future.