yinjispace

INTERIOR
Shu Tian Design
PHOTOGRAPHY
Boris Shiu
EDITOR
Gina
Collection

At the very heart of the CBD, a building stands quietly at the intersection of time. Jintong Twelve is not merely a geographical coordinate, but a cultural one. Here, the upturned eaves of the Forbidden City meet the glass curtain walls of the China World Trade Center, where tradition and modernity arrive at a tacit equilibrium. “We take this as our point of departure, hoping to present a certain temperament—one that has endured for thousands of years. By extracting the motif of the roof-ridge beasts from traditional architecture and translating their spiritual imagery, we allow these ancient symbols to gain new life within a contemporary framework.”

At the entrance, a bluestone water-absorbing beast rests quietly upon a metal pedestal. Inspired by traditional imperial gardens, it carries an artistic lineage spanning millennia. This sculpture transcends ornamentation; its presence establishes a spatial ritual—a transition from the noisy city into a tranquil private realm. The rugged texture of natural stone forms a subtle dialogue with the luster of gold leaf, giving traditional symbols of protection a contemporary material expression. Every carved mark becomes a prelude of time, connecting the ancient wisdom of craftsmanship with the philosophy of modern living.

The open-plan living room becomes a theater of light. A hand-hammered brass coffee table, shaped in irregular curves, echoes the flowing lines of traditional roof ridges. The unique patina formed through repeated forging becomes a temporal imprint within the space. The all-wood carving of the Swan Chair skillfully weaves together Classicism and Eastern aesthetics. An L-shaped sofa and a horsehair accent chair form an asymmetrical enclosure, creating a relaxed and comfortable setting for conversation. Within the golden abstract painting on the wall, the motif of the “Immortal Riding a Phoenix” is embedded in a small framed image:“This is a visual allusion carefully arranged by the design team. Traditional architectural symbols are deconstructed into planar elements and juxtaposed with modern abstraction, producing an intriguing intertextual dialogue.”

Above the dining area, a lighting installation composed of marble slices and metal components appears as a floating sculpture. Each piece of marble bears a unique natural veining, and through precisely calculated variations in height, they form a visual rhythm. Extending from the dining table into the living room, the installation traces a gentle path through the space, weaving different functional zones into a continuous whole.

On the dining table, the combination of porcelain and brass objects resembles a three-dimensional still life. The juxtaposition of antique pieces with modern vessels creates a layered effect of time. At the island, a lion figurine gains an architectural sense of poetry and commemorative meaning through a tiered display arrangement.

As the sliding doors open, the study reveals itself as a semi-open space of curated collections. Every object here possesses the quality of an exhibit. Marble inlays on the bookshelves are arranged in a seemingly random yet deliberate rhythm, preserving a touch of natural unpredictability within order. The dialogue between warm woodwork and cool stone enriches the tactile experience of the space. Metallic details on the back of the desk chair abstractly echo the imagery of beast horns, offering a modern interpretation of the overarching theme. A qilin shadow-puppet artwork, mounted within a contemporary frame, grants traditional folk art a new exhibition context. An old wooden trunk serves not only as storage, but also as a specimen of time, participating in the spatial narrative.

Through the careful control of materials and light, the master bedroom cultivates a serene, meditative atmosphere. At the entrance, a console table with fluid contours breaks the rectilinear logic of the space. Its velvet surface captures subtle shifts of light, functioning both as furniture and as an independent sculptural piece.

The installation art beside the doorway takes the form of a scroll, with aged gold leaf creating a mottled texture on a silk base. Qing Dynasty carved wooden panels are embedded as artworks, allowing fragments of history to regain meaning in a new context. Below, a plaster pedestal simulates the softness of fabric, pushing the expressive potential of materiality to its limits. A vintage repatriated lion figurine provides the final accent, its hand-applied gilding forming a compelling contrast with the overall delicacy of the space.

The guest bedroom redefines spatial rhythm through a curved, screen-like headboard. The texture of the upholstered surface creates nuanced light and shadow across the curve, forming a gentle visual buffer. This arc not only resolves the issue of direct sightlines from the entrance, but also shapes an enveloping sense of refuge. The palette of coffee brown and reddish-brown is calm and profound, while the patterns of the throw and rug echo one another to establish visual continuity.

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