Junxi Mountain Villa is located in Liangzhu village Cultural Centre, at the highest point of the West Mountain Ridge of Baiyingjun. It is set between the Wulang mountain and Wulangshan reservoir, a beautiful scenery surrounded by mountains. The concept is inspired by the nearby Liangzhu Museum by David Chipperfield, “a jade cone scattered on the ground”. The show apartment offers and elevated living experience located high in its surroundings, partially surrounded by city, and partially immersed in nature. The spirit of untouched nature is key element to create an exquisite mountain villa.
In an environment far from the busy lifestyle of the downtown city, the designer explores the ambiguous relationship of “nature, city and mountain life”. Creating a truly contemporary modern home set in an idyllic landscape. The villa is organized around a series of external spaces which connect to the outside, the courtyard, the terrace and the balcony.
The house is divided into three levels, and each space is given a distinct meaning, in order to let the daily activities harmonize with nature, spaces are designed according to the views and how the sun moves around the house during the day, based on the concept of “Urban Mountain Living”.
The main entrance is relocated to a higher level. In the centre is an external terrace which functions in good weather as an external living room. This space embodies the role the traditional hearth, the gathering space for the family, the space to host guests and share quality family times.
The outdoor observation terrace overlooks the city. The first floor living and dining room is based on the concept of “Urban Mountain Living”. The space on the first floor is composed of a Chinese kitchen, a western-style kitchen and the dining area. The design of the western kitchen island becomes an informal meeting point, it provides a space for daily interaction, for breakfast with family, to dinner parties with guests.
The more private functions are located on the second floor, composed by a main bedroom with a large balcony oriented to the view and a children’s room. A timber-clad curved staircase gently winds up through the villa, linking each floor with a unique move, like a painter’s stroke. It leads down to the lower level which opens out onto a large sun terrace. At this level are the family living room and study which are designed to be flexible to accommodate different configurations. Both spaces are side lit with full height glass doors which overlook the mountain scenery.
The selection of the materials includes a palette of calm and rich warm gray tones. The soft colors provide a simple, yet elegant atmosphere for the home. This minimal palette allows the interior space to frame and become a beautiful backdrop to the natural environment; simplicity enhancing the contrasts and colors of the rich landscape.
At the end of the staircase we find an isometric scale model of the “Fallingwater”, a masterpiece of Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright’s architectural work is full of references to nature and man’s relationship to it, and he has unique views on the inherent properties of materials, including shape, texture, color, etc. His inspiration and lessons resonate in the philosophy underlying the whole design, pursuing harmonious relationship between design and nature.
MDO chose an artwork by the British artist Michelle McKinney. It depicts a flock of birds soaring through the clouds on their journey home. This subject is a fitting addition to the villa which offers its owners a calm home, a countryside retreat from the busy city. The soft furnishing of the living room features the elegantly curved Ribbon Chair which the designers found in an antique store in Bangkok. The chair was designed by the French designer Pierre Paulin in 1966, and the chair won the AID (Association of Industry Design) award in 1968. After careful restoration, the smooth lines and natural curves of the chair provide an elegant centre piece to the living room furnishing.
Project Location: Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China; Client: Hangzhou Lin Lu Real Estate Development Co., Ltd; Design Company: More Design Office (MDO); Design Director: Jaycee Chui, Justin Bridgland;
Design Team: Di Chang, Jiacheng Que, Yabin Yao, Ziheng Li; Soft Furnishing: Tanping Tang, Xijin Zeng; Project Size: 324 m2; Completion Date: Beginning of the 2018; Photographer: Sicong Sui, Liteshadow studio;
