yinjispace

INTERIOR
Sukong Design
PHOTOGRAPHY
Howie Zheng Hao
WORDS
Sun Chenyang
EDITOR
Gina
Collection

From the very beginning of designing this house, we aimed to use minimal decoration while leaving the greatest possible space for light, wind, and the paths of human life. We believe that good design is not about filling every space, but about leaving room—allowing life to grow naturally.

After a preliminary site survey, we found that the building is a traditional townhouse type with a significant drawback—its frontage is narrow while its depth is relatively long. This is the primary issue that needs to be addressed. We redesigned the staircase layout, changing the original two-flight staircase into a three-flight one and adding a glass elevator. In this way, natural light can shine from the skylight on the third floor all the way down to the first floor, effectively solving the lighting problem caused by the building's excessive depth.

The staircase, as a medium connecting spaces, is not merely a tool for vertical circulation—it also becomes a channel for the flow of light and sightlines. The glass elevator is transparent and light, allowing light to pass through unobstructed while reflecting the subtle traces of life unfolding within the space. We firmly believe that true comfort does not stem from elaborate construction, but from respecting and responding to the rhythms of nature. When the wind passes through the atrium and light falls onto the floor, the space begins to breathe.

In terms of functional layout, we designated the first floor, basement, and mezzanine for daily living, entertaining guests, and leisure activities. The second and third floors serve as private personal spaces, housing bedrooms, bathrooms, and storage or walk-in closets. This layered strategy allocates public and private spaces appropriately, separating active and quiet areas. It ensures the open flow of daily life while preserving tranquility and privacy for the resting spaces.

The first floor serves as the core area for daily living, integrating the living room, dining room, and open kitchen to facilitate more natural and fluid interaction among family members. After removing the original partitions, the space opens up. A full-height south-facing window brings in ample light, while the greenery of the courtyard outside subtly permeates the interior. The floor is laid with light gray textured tiles, with seams hidden within the flowing patterns, as if the footsteps of daily life glide softly across the surface. The walls retain the natural color of microcement, whose unadorned texture harmonizes with the warmth of the furniture.

The red and black cabinetry contrasts with the metallic pendant lights, creating a dynamic interplay of warm and cool tones that adds visual tension to the space. The cabinet handles are concealed within precisely crafted seams, offering a smooth, unobstructed touch—each detail reflecting an exquisite pursuit of craftsmanship. The island countertop is made of dark stone, exuding a calm, grounded texture that contrasts with the linear lighting embedded beneath the island. Here, functionality and aesthetics achieve a subtle balance. All built-in appliances in the tall cabinet area feature flush-panel designs, maintaining a seamless and unified façade while completely concealing clutter. A perfectly proportioned circulation path is left between the island and the dining table, allowing daily movement and gatherings with friends and family to coexist without interference. Every utensil in the kitchen is carefully selected to harmonize with the overall color scheme.

In handling the basement space, we retained its 4.7-meter ceiling height and added a mezzanine covering only one-third of the area. The design aims for the light from the south-facing light well to illuminate the entire basement and mezzanine to the greatest extent possible. The mezzanine design cleverly utilizes the vertical height to create a semi-open reading or working area. At the same time, the glass railing preserves a transparent visual corridor below, allowing light and sightlines to penetrate the space and creating an interwoven vertical layering. Beneath the mezzanine, modular sofas enclose a sunken, multifunctional lounge area. Together with the wooden tea table on the side, they create a serene tea corner, establishing an intimate sense of scale. The red tea cabinet is built into the wall, and combined with the warm lighting strips, it creates a calm and serene atmosphere. Living here is no longer just an accumulation of functions; it is a serene narrative woven from light, shadow, materials, and memories. Day after day, it settles into the deepest, most genuine warmth of the home. The home thus becomes no longer a mere container, but a living entity that grows alongside the passage of time, silently witnessing the beauty of everyday life.

The third floor functions as a complete suite, emphasizing a sense of ritual in daily life right from the entrance. During the structural renovation, the floor above the tatami area was deliberately opened, allowing light to leave traces of time on the walls every afternoon. Large expanses of paint are no longer cold gray or white; instead, they become the textured surface through which the walls seem to breathe. Texture extends along the play of light and shadow, gradually unfolding within the rustic screens, subtly revealing the layers of the space.

The black beams and columns beside the master bed are not for show; through structural renovation, they create a more comfortable scale in what was originally a cramped bedroom. Additionally, by opening the floor above the sleeping area, the building's originally sloped roof can interact with the beams and columns, creating a unique spatial experience. The wall between the master bathroom and the walk-in closet is made of rippled glass bricks, which not only allow more light to pass through but also add a playful touch to daily life.

The south-facing bedroom on the second floor is integrated with the laundry area according to the owner's lifestyle. An acrylic screen diffuses soft light and shadow, blurring the boundary between the laundry and the resting area—maintaining privacy while preserving a subtle connection. The space achieves a balance between function and emotion, with every detail responding to the genuine needs of its occupants. The north-facing bedroom on the second floor is designed as an independent suite. By leaving material transitions understated, the space flows into a tranquil atmosphere. The wood paneling seamlessly connects with the wooden floor tiles, creating a warm and restrained private space. The window frames lightly carve the shifting light of the seasons, and when the setting sun shines at an angle, the wooden floor glows with a warm amber hue.

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