The Circadian Home Residenza in Grattacielo

Press Kit

Unique Properties

The execution of the entire project coincided with the pandemic-related travel restrictions. These limitations affected the construction process in various ways, including public health safety measures and the need to determine which tasks required on-site work versus factory processing. As a result, The designer and construction team had to reorganize the entire construction schedule, allowing the project to proceed smoothly while minimizing on-site pollution and unnecessary travel.

Dimensions & Packaging

This project is located in Jian Guo Xi Lu, Shanghai, China. A high-rise residential property on the 29th floor.
The total area is 310 square meters with three bedrooms, and the client's requirement is to have two bedrooms, one private working area, one family room, and dining room adjacent to the living room for hosting guests.

Tags

Highrise, Residence, Luxury, Interior Design, Bespoke, Immersing, Unique, Contemporary, Architectural Interiors, Hospitality

Production Technology

The primary finishes in the project are wood, marble and special paint. All finishes, cabinetry, and millwork were produced in the factory to minimise sound and air pollution as much as possible.
In a commitment to environmental and ecological sustainability, the designer opted against using thick solid slabs. Instead, the natural marble on the walls features a 6mm thickness, supported by aluminium backing to ensure structural integrity and ease of installation. The designer and constructional team minimized the environmental pollution and reduced material waste.

Design Challenge

The project's design and construction were successfully completed through remote communication, necessitated by COVID19 travel restrictions. The Designer, client, and construction crew utilized technology to maintain seamless communication, enabling the project to be executed with effective online supervision.

The construction phase faced challenges that could not be addressed directly on site with contractors. A specific example involved a 3 meter cantilevered structure designed to resemble a sailing boat, reflecting the client's passion for sailing. To overcome these challenges, the designer and contractor used tools like Zoom, 3D modelling, and 360 degree photography for real time communication and problem solving.

Research

As we live and as we are, Simplicity with a capital S, is difficult to comprehend nowadays. We are no longer truly simple. Life is a more complex struggle now. It is a spiritual thing to comprehend what simplicity means.
by Frank Lloyd Wright, The Natural House.

The concept of simplicity often varies from person to person and evolves over time. At its core, simplicity refers to clarity and ease of understanding or use, stripping away unnecessary elements to focus on the essentials. In design, achieving simplicity can be particularly challenging.

As a designer, the goal is to distill a client's complex requirements into an elegant solution that feels straightforward. However, this process often involves substantial effort behind the scenes. A clean and neat space may require intricate storage solutions, while an unobtrusive ceiling might hide complex mechanisms.

Thus, simplicity is not synonymous with ease, it often masks the complexity involved in the design process. It is about creating harmony and functionality while ensuring that the end product appears effortless. The challenge lies in balancing aesthetics with practicality and integrating various professional insights to achieve that seamless outcome.

Inspiration

The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally transformed contemporary lifestyles. In the aftermath of this global crisis, it is imperative to foster an environment that aligns with natural elements, including the principles of circadian rhythms.
Home should be a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation. Therefore in this retreat, you can immerse yourself in nature, seamlessly following the rhythms of day and night and promoting both health and a sense of fulfilment.

Project Duration

The design of project started in March 2021, construction period was from June 2021 - February 2022 in Shanghai, China.

Operation Flow

The Client's requirement is to create a home that seamlessly integrates all aspects of his daily life. This includes hosting friends, working from home and enjoying a restful environment.
To achieve that, the designer built a home that understands the owner's needs, seamlessly integrating design elements that minimized the clutter of everyday life, no visible wires or controls. A well designed home is as intuitive as nature itself, allowing the owner to use the space instinctively.
To save the energy and eco friendly, the designer has kept the equipment cabinetry at the open kitchen, and built an open bar adjacent to the enclosed kitchen provided by the developer with a sliding door, so two spaces can be easily supporting event functions.

Image Credits

#1#2#3#4: Photographer StudioSZ / Justin Szeremeta, 2024