Project Overview

"Margin" is the scale of space and the tone of communication between humans and the environment: rational, emotional, orderly, and romantic. The chief designer of the Suzhou Space Art Gallery, Mr. Lycent Lai, precisely controls the curves, angles, and dimensions of the "margin" with meticulous skill, adjusting the atmosphere and texture of the space. The construction of the Suzhou Space Art Gallery is a reinterpretation of the "margin." Mr. Lycent Lai breaks through the usual approach of defining space with boundaries, extending the imaginative realm of the work.

Organisation

Lycent Design Studio

Team

Lycent Lai, Jingjing Ma, Xingping Tang, Naigui Xu

Project Brief

In this design, semi-enclosed walls are frequently used to divide spatial levels, utilizing structural design to separate functional areas. This allows spaces to be interconnected yet independent, enabling unrestricted interaction between people and nature.
Natural light penetrates through the floor-to-ceiling glass, blending between the textures of cotton and linen and vegetable-tanned leather. It combines with soft and tranquil materials and colors, injecting warm and full light into the space. The ground floor space uses a combination of positive and negative arcs to distinguish the entrance hall and living room, forming a semi-enclosed living room with curved functional walls created by four columns. It is relatively independent yet connected to the dining room and elevator hall. Light travels through concealed gaps, becoming a thread connecting various spaces, extending the infinite natural imagery in a flowing manner, stirring the imagination about space.
The rational and restrained black and gray tones sharply contrast with the pure and simple beige, subtly outlining the edges of the dining and leisure areas. The blending of dynamism and tranquility, much like the black and white keys of a piano, creates a harmonious composition.

Project Need

The scale of the basement is open, with an area of nearly 700 square meters. The designer integrates the leisure and entertainment functions of the residence into this space. Following the consistent approach of using columns and curved lines to create fictional partitions, the leisure area, reading area, swimming pool, and garage are arranged around the central area. The continuous curves and corners dissolve the artificial design's intentional sense, emphasizing space boundaries while giving people a pure and natural temperament, enhancing the emotional interaction between space and individuals.
Water is ever-changing, imitating forms as it wishes. Integrating water into the interior means allowing water to interpret infinite changes within limited space. The designer dissolves rigidity in tangible places, defining order in intangible places. By elevating the height of the swimming pool with straight lines and angled blocks, the water forms a deep mirror surface while maintaining order and restraint in the space. This contrast with the freely expanding space boundary highlights the design's moderation, revealing artistry in the ebb and flow, the curves, and the straight lines.

Design Challenge

When the designers first encountered the space, they were amazed by the abundant natural light and the spacious area of the building itself. However, the original space was chaotic and disorderly. Thus, Mr. Lycent Lai conceived the idea of reconstructing the spatial boundaries, transforming the fragmented space into a cohesive whole.

Sustainability

The design process of this project follows the green concept of sustainable development, and the entire project uses environmentally friendly and formaldehyde-free healthy materials. At the same time, the adjustment of natural light, it increases the beauty of the space while greatly reducing energy consumption.