‘The presence or absence of vitality in architecture and interiors space depends on whether the designer believes in it. For me, a space should be communicative. In the current era when technological innovation happens weekly, I don't want to replace the emotions I want to express with superficial and noisy programs.
What I am looking for is a gap where emotions can intervene, and exploration outside the regulations. The washroom is usually a purely functional area, however I wish to create some emotional moments and integrates an informal and dignified experience into the design of Deji Plaza.
It can be regarded as a courtesy presented by Deji Group and us. The gift of space, whether it is a garden, or a ‘Blues club’ we built this time, or more fantasy ideas in the future, it is a generalization of art and a universal praise.’
-- Li Xiang
The light gathers in the bright public area of the shopping mall, and the golden curtain-like exterior wall solemnly invites the washroom space. Black marble is used to set the background tone, establishing a quiet and mysterious visual experience and a clean and refined texture.
The pure and deep blue color scheme is like a whisper, and the relaxing style is enveloping. The sharp difference in themes and colors becomes a visual boundary between the public area and the washroom, like an accidental event of art, grandly appearing in an inadvertent corner.
The design concept "Blues Club" aims to build a comfortable space with both quality and taste for Deji Plaza. In a bustling commercial place, it can still entertain visitors with its comfortable facilities and artistic aesthetics, and provide a healing experience for the body and soul.
The space division of the washroom space follows the designer's previous strategy - a three-stage division of experience hall, waiting area, washrooms. The classic aesthetics of central axis symmetry reproduce the beauty of the majestic architecture in memory, and the mirrored ceiling magnifies the visual depth of the space, making the spatial structure of the experience hall more three-dimensional and rich. The designer then used different materials to create a "double-layer skin". The hollows on the metal grille make the simple facade skin visually well-crafted. The use of linear light strips in the passage eliminates the heavy feeling of the space, forming a invisible line, guiding the circulation of those who come into the space.
Stepping into the space, the gorgeous golden color with the black embellish the sea-like quiet dark blue light. The designer painted a picture of a dream where twilight is mixed with waves, which makes people instantly recall the beautiful scenery of the marveling nights of the ancient capital of the Six Dynasties.
Sofa seats are placed on both sides of the corridor for people to take a rest. In the center of the corridor, a simulated indoor golf area is designed in an interesting way, while the golf balls and clubs were removed of functions and becomes decorative carriers incorporate into the design aesthetics. Looking up, the glass covers on the entire wall are exquisitely displayed with blue cards, which are excerpted from classic quotations of world literary giants such as Shakespeare and Tagore. While accepting the baptism of art visually, the integration of literature brings spiritual healing to visitors .
The turning point connects with the entrance of the waiting area. Make a turn at the corner, a kind of broadness appears at the line of sight. The shock of the aesthetics created by the classic axis from the last second was suddenly replaced by the joyfulness ignited by the change of space. The light has changed from subtle and hazy to clear and bright, just like sharps of music of the space style. The elegant classical blues exit the stage for the rhythm blues’ debut. Lines have evolved from restraint to bold and abstract decorative symbols, and the same geometric elements are again mobilized by the designer to enrich the subtle innovation in the space.
Retro-sports-car-shaped sofas are paired with exaggerated shaped floor lamps to form a witty and stylish composition, and the men's and women's restroom signs are in the form of abstract art paintings to subtly echo the tone of the space. In the washroom, the movement of blue unifies the continuous narrative of the modern avant-garde style. The washbasin and ladies dressing table are both inspired by European classical furniture, and a bit of exquisite style is rooted in the trendy and fashionable artistic sense.
The materials and color languages used in the project are not complex. The designer uses concise design language to enrich the spatial framework, creating a sense of undulating spatial layers. The beauty of this layering is not only poured into the layers of construction, embedded into the layers of materials, but also hidden in the layers of colors and woven into the layers of light and shadow.
From the complicated spatial context, to finally achieve a harmonious look and feel, and a comfortable sensory journey, this is the balance of design. And in this balance, uncertain dynamic fluctuations are brewing, containing the gentle collision of high-end elegant sense of ritual and fun and humorous postmodernism, stimulating the aesthetic products of contemporary art under the balance of classics and avant-garde, and finally creating a orderly unique aesthetics hidden in the complexity and the modern elegance hidden under the contrast. What the designer wants to establish is the determination to lead the consumer experience in the new era, letting the artistic extension of design and creativity permeates the every corner of commercial public space, so as to bring space visitors a sense of relaxation of wandering aimlessly.
