ARBOUR

MU Design

Short description

Connected to the historical Hengfu Cultural Area to the west and the Bund district to the east, the Zhonghai Shunchang Jiuli Project is located in Shanghai’s stylish Xintiandi neighborhood. For Shanghai-based design studio MU Design, this location provides a creative design opportunity in a culturally rich area at the crossroads of a century-old vegetable market, the prestigious Shanghai Art College, and the fragmented shadows of the historic city.
Architecture provides people with direct experiences, poetically connecting them with multiple dimensions of time and space: by giving people both a literal and symbolic foothold within built environments, it enables new dialogues across different eras and regions. For the New Shanghai Residence Project, MU Design decided to integrate a classical Eastern sensibility which recalls the past, with soft furnishings and details inspired by the comfort of contemporary Italian interiors.
Upon entering the apartment, guests will discover a minimalist Italian-style living room, with a distinct, richly textured black and white color palette. Natural moiré marble is paired with delicate, recessed light fixtures which sparkle overhead. Classic, comfortable Poliform dining room chairs finished in cowhide are paired with a strikingly modern dining table, whose surface of dark stone is supported by a monolithic structure of solid wood. The clean design of the Minotti leather sofa in the center of the living room continues the pleasingly natural, contemporary atmosphere of the interior. Additionally, the generous, curved form of the armchair has a sculptural feel reminiscent of the 1970s. Here, residents can enjoy easy and comfortable times with their family, with multiple views over the city and down to the busy streets below.
The wide marble sill of the full-height living room window forms a cabinet, decorated with sculptures of cats. Against the backdrop of the blinds, it creates the fanciful appearance that they are playing in an atmosphere of pure white snow. Delicate flower vases also adorn the cabinet, handmade by Taiwanese artisans, whose abstract shapes recall the organic forms of nature. There is also a series of delicate jade ornaments in the shape of traditional Shanghai steaming dumplings, evoking the designer’s early memories of their mother’s family breakfasts. A birds-eye photograph of old Shanghai hangs on the side wall, over which the characters “Nonghao” have been painted, meaning “how are you doing” in Chinese, another connection to the historical city, while a stylish turntable provides an opportunity to play records reminiscent of childhood.
The study is an oasis of calm and tranquility. Delicate curtains flutter as glowing light from the setting sun illuminate the room. A photograph of a traditional Chinese birdcage hangs on the wall, with the gleaming orange light of a street lamp accentuating its fine metal bars, drawing the viewer into the image and evoking a nostalgic sense of reverie. The slender form of the metal floor lamp "Shadow" provides a refined, minimalist presence, while the vintage-styled desk lamp recalls the classic aesthetics of a bygone age.
The entire collection of imported desks and bookshelves in the apartment share exquisite craftsmanship and a similar slimness in shape. The main desk is delicately inlaid with solid wood and leather, its subtle curves softening the strong, clean lines of the metal structure. The bookshelf has a strong architectural aesthetic and can be custom mounted with hinged doors, drawers, shelves, and storage cabinets. Soft, stylish chairs and circular rugs complete the stylish effect, providing a comfortable yet refined setting for study or work.
The design of the master bedroom presents a pristine yet comfortable environment with tranquil, dignified colors, and a carefully curated selection of simple, rich fabrics. Gold-tinted bedside light from a selection of glass chandeliers by Italian design companies Lodes and Oluce provides a warm ambience, while exquisite gilt picture frames evoke a past era of Art Deco aesthetics.
The guest rooms have been designed in a matching aesthetic, with the addition of armchairs striking in their boldness of form and bright geometric patterns. The rooms are also equipped with vintage-style metal floor lamps, while the bedside tables are surfaced with lustrous yellow marble, adding material contrast and eye-catching accents of color, to complete the refined mood of the space.
The children's room has been designed with bright colors and a selection of furniture which embodies childlike exuberance and innocence. A theme of alpine skiing is introduced here, with artwork and a color palette which recalls snow and pine trees on a mountain. A rotating globe is embedded in the custom-made bookcase, and the wall adjacent to the bed has been surfaced to allow children’s graffiti. Overall, the space presents a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere consistent with the rest of the apartment, while establishing a light-hearted ambience particular to the spirit of childhood.
This space in Shunchang Jiuli reconfigures time in connecting a century-old lifestyle to contemporary aesthetics, imaginatively reinterpreting design details of daily life that combine both Chinese and Western elements. Bold artistry and elegant refinement are creatively combined over the apartment’s 200 square meters, where life is taken into the future.