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Ping Zhang's Orient Original Residence presents a sophisticated double-height living space where charcoal-toned upholstered seating occupies the immediate foreground, its L-shaped sectional configurat
Refined materiality establishes the compositional foundation through meticulously articulated surface treatments where horizontally striated gray panels, exhibiting fine linear texturing reminiscent o
Ping Zhang's Orient Original Residence reveals a masterfully orchestrated interior where warm-toned natural timber dominates the architectural vocabulary, constructing a built-in storage and display s
Warm honey-toned timber surfaces establish the dominant material palette while sheer vertical drapery panels frame a luminous central window overlooking verdant exterior plantings, establishing a comp
Ping Zhang's Orient Original Residence presents a threshold moment captured in luminous tranquility, where warm blonde wood paneling establishes a tonal foundation of honeyed neutrality, its vertical

Ping Zhang

Bronze Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2026

Orient Original Residence

by Ping Zhang

  • A' Design Award 2026 Bronze Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
  • Awarded April 15, 2026
  • CLIENT: Ping Zhang
  • Estimated Number of Design Views: 6,673
  • Verification code AEBAB739FC · Verify this award
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About Orient Original Residence

Orient Original is a residential interior design for a 500 square meter home in Beijing, China. A sunlit underground atrium forms the center of the plan, linking two lower levels and blurring the boundary between above and below ground. The sunken area can serve as a tearoom, a lounge or a cinema. A glass roof, glass brick walls and mirrored panels increase daylight and widen the sense of space. Dark wood veneers meet light timber and natural stone. Custom furniture and storage support daily family life and social gatherings.

Ping Zhang's Residence demonstrates a refined synthesis of contemporary spatial design principles and material sensibility, positioning the work within the lineage of minimalist luxury residential architecture that emerged prominently in the early twenty-first century, drawing upon influences from Japanese spatial philosophy with its emphasis on void, restraint, and the integration of natural elements, alongside the material precision and layered complexity characteristic of high-end hospitality design translated into domestic contexts, the composition achieves notable success in its orchestration of vertical volume, where the double-height spatial void creates a sense of breathing room and architectural generosity that elevates the everyday domestic program beyond conventional residential scale, this vertical drama finds balance through the grounded horizontal mass of the foreground seating, establishing a dialogue between containment and release, between intimate human scale and aspirational spatial expansion, the chromatic sophistication lies in the work's restraint, deploying a carefully calibrated palette of warm neutrals, from beige ceiling planes through taupe wall surfaces to charcoal upholstery and stone flooring, this tonal discipline creates atmospheric unity while strategic accents of forest green in textile elements and living botanical specimens introduce organic vitality without disrupting the overall serene coherence, the lighting design demonstrates particular accomplishment, layering ambient recessed sources with focused accent illumination and sculptural pendant fixtures to create dimensional complexity, the warm color temperature throughout establishes inviting domesticity while the geometric pendant introduces visual interest through its patterned light casting, technically, the work displays facility in material integration, where wood grain, stone veining, fabric texture, and botanical forms coexist through thoughtful tonal and textural relationships, the architectural articulation of the mid-level horizontal void suggests sophisticated spatial planning, potentially serving circulation, visual connection between levels, or display functions while maintaining clean linear geometry, thematically, Orient Original Residence appears to explore the intersection of contemporary material refinement and traditional spatial values, the double-height void and integration of living greenery may evoke the courtyard principle or internal garden spaces found in traditional residential architecture reinterpreted through contemporary formal language, the work seems to celebrate both the sanctuary function of domestic space, offering retreat and repose through material warmth and spatial serenity, and the aspirational dimension of residence as a vessel for contemplation and beauty beyond mere functional shelter, the horizontal architectural banding and vertical spatial release could reference the classical principles of ground and sky, earth and heaven, while the integration of natural specimens within this refined constructed environment suggests attention to biophilic design principles and the psychological benefits of nature connection within built environments, how might this space transform across the rhythms of daily life and seasonal light, and what moments of domestic ritual find their ideal backdrop within this carefully orchestrated material and spatial framework?

Press Kit

Unique Properties
A sunlit underground atrium is the project's highlight, blurring boundaries between above and below ground. The sunken area flexibly transforms into a tearoom, lounge, or cinema. Black tones anchor spatial strength, while warm timber softens contours. Light and shadow act as the language of space, balancing order and freedom for everyday living.
Dimensions & Packaging
The residence spans 500 sqm. Key areas include a tearoom, dining spaces, living room, bedrooms, and multifunctional zones. The layout balances daily family needs with social gatherings, achieving comfort, flexibility, and spatial cohesion.
Tags
Daylight, atrium, flexible space, light and shadow, timber, serenity, ease, family life, spiritual belonging, poetic dwelling
Production Technology
The project uses a glass roof and glass brick walls to maximize daylight, with mirrored panels extending spatial perception. Dark wood veneers contrast with light timber textures and natural stone, creating balance between strength and softness. Custom furniture and storage emphasize both function and aesthetics, highlighting the interplay of material and light.
Design Challenge
The original B2 space was narrow and dim, so the south side was expanded to improve daylight. The vertical connection between B1 and B2 was opened, creating interaction between the two levels.
Unlike traditional layouts, the ground floor living room was removed and transformed into a multifunctional leisure space for the owner, while dining and kitchen activities were shifted to the B1 area.
Project Duration
The project is located in Beijing, China. Design began in May 2022 and was completed in December 2023.
Operation Flow
The design emphasizes adaptability and interaction: the sunken zone shifts from tearoom to lounge to cinema, while the dining area supports both daily meals and family gatherings. Changing daylight transforms atmosphere, offering residents layered experiences and a resonance between nature, time, and emotional states.
Research
The study focused on urban women's lifestyles and emotional needs. Through interviews and observation, the team identified "serenity and ease" as the design goal. Iterative spatial experiments refined the approach, resulting in a home that accommodates both daily routines and inner reflection, proving the synergy of light, material, and lifestyle.
Inspiration
The project draws inspiration from the owner's desire for tranquility. Natural light, timber, and the passage of time form the core elements, shaping a 500 sqm home that embodies serenity and cultural depth. The space evolves with daily life, becoming a reflection of the resident's soul and a place of spiritual belonging.
Image Credits
Photos by: HANMO VISION | YI GAO

Colors of Orient Original Residence

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