Project name: Huawei Whole-house Intelligence Experience Center
Location: Guangdong, China
Design firm: Foshan Topway Design (http://www.topwayspace.com)
Chief designers: Wang Zhike, Li Xiaoshui
Project area: 1,000 square meters
Start time: Feb. 2022
Completion time: Aug. 2022
Photography: Ouyang Yun

The infinite curve is the abstraction of the universe. One end connects to the past, the other to the infinite future. All lines, parallel or not, intersect with life, with matter, with space-time, with the non-existent future, with the profound universe, and in the end build up into a grand and mysterious world of time and space.

Linear Space, Interconnection of all Things

The Huawei Whole-House Intelligence Experience Center conceived by Foshan Topway Design takes smart home, smart office and smart showroom as a medium, and highlights the ultimate pleasure that intelligent technology bring to future life by creating an immersive experience. AI technology gives humans "godlike" magic and all commands can be given digitally or by voice. The ultimate purpose of AI is to realize the connection between people and things, and among things themselves, in order to realize the ultimate ideal lifestyle where "everything is connected".

The entrance foyer of the showroom takes "ray" as the source of inspiration. The intertwined rays of light connect the virtual world with the real time and space, as if the light of civilization is projected from an alien world. The linear "universe" space is full of uncertainty and unpredictability, which the designers tried to present by means of technological installations.

The design team created nine groups of acrylic screens in the entrance foyer and used them to reorganize the visitor circulation. A dense matrix of rays at different angles and densities are sculpted on the screens and projected by altering lights. Like signals in the universe, the rays wander through space, either intersecting or parallel, unpredictable, presenting the myriad of changes in the linear world.

Light of the Temple, Realm of Space and Time

"The straight line belongs to man, the curved one to God." The straight line represents the wisdom of man, while the curve is the expression of the universe. The designers used curved and linear bands of light throughout the space, which are interconnected by reflecting off the floor to form a closed loop. The double-curved arched symmetrical structure at the showroom lobby gives the space a classical temple-like "sacredness", emphasizing the spirituality of "the light of the temple". The LED screen in the space displays a digital illustration by American artist Stuart Lippincott.

The arched structure and the neat arrangement of columns in the space generate a strong sense of order, as if it is a passage into the future.

The reflective floor projects the arched space, blurring the boundary between reality and virtuality. The graceful curved light connects the two dimensions, which seems to be a kind of black hole connecting space and time, making visitors want to explore the mysterious realm of the metaverse.

The heavy archway embodies the strength of the building, quiet and deep, which allows visitors to instantly feel a sense of sacredness beyond reality. With light flowing slowly on the walls, the space represents a site of astonishing sacredness.

On both sides of the arched passage are Huawei's intelligent product display areas. The designers placed cutting-edge technological products in a "classical temple", showing the long trail of mankind's relentless pursuit of technology and civilization from ancient times to the present.

The strong form and orderly arrangement of the arches enhance the sense of ritual when walking along the corridor, where the spiritual power of space is manifested. The dynamic curves cut through the boundaries of space like a magic knife, perfectly interpreting the connection between architecture and art. Meanwhile, the diverse combinations of shapes convey a sense of continuity and mysterious disorientation. With the interlacing and overlapping of light, the high-gloss material blurs the boundary of the vision.

Time Wormhole, Gazing at the Starry Sky

Opposite the elevator is Huawei's intelligent office area. The barrel-shaped structure at the entrance divides the space into three parts. The inner and outer areas are separated by a cylinder structure, stimulating a sense of curiosity. When the face recognition on the wall activates, the curved glass door opens, leading to the central cylindrical space. The ceiling is like a black hole in time, attracting people's eye. The unconscious perception makes the space full of imagination.

The metallic curved walls create an atmosphere reminiscent of a space capsule, while the lofty circular space is like the vast universe where people gaze at the unknown galaxies and hope to explore distant interstellar civilization.

With inside and outside, the curved and straight, motion and stillness interweaving, the space is given a certain degree of uncertainty, to evoke different emotional experiences when people look at it from different angles. Like walking on a blurred space-time border, now hidden, now seen, shadows and shapes interact, scenes blend with each other.

The universe is intangible yet tangible. The ancients said that the sky is round and the earth is square. The circle represents the unknown and the state of the universe, while the square represents the crystallization of human civilization. The designers interspersed, reorganized and superimposed a large number of circles and squares, resulting in a space between the virtual and the real. And the space has an illusionary state where the traditional and modern aesthetics exist, as if the quantum space-time is entangled here. We are standing in front of a huge window hole, looking into the vast universe outside.

Here, circles of different forms are connected in various ways, interlocking, suggesting a state of interconnectedness among all things.

In the office area, two boxes form a mezzanine that not only improves the functionality of the space, but also contributes to its appeal. It seems as if a "parallel space" is added to the physical one. Here, light of different tones makes the space diverse, guiding the rhythm of the space, and creating rich emotions.

Futuristic brushed steel veneers and soft wood finishes are utilized for decoration, while the suspended ceiling is made of mirrored material, bringing an infinitely open vision and blurring the boundaries of space. The clean white tabletop and the white wall by the window make the space orderly, and the large floor-to-ceiling windows bring in beautiful natural landscape, where intelligent technology and nature complement each other.

Less is more. With the minimalist geometric lines, the space presents a powerful artistic expression of change and transformation. The technological, artistic aesthetics and the rich contemporary human life result in the dramatic tension of the space, which keeps expanding and guiding the transition and exploration in the space.

The Future Home Beyond Reality

Intelligent lighting is a combination of modern technology and aesthetics, a compromise between form and function, making technology change life in a more profound way. At the same time, the introduction of intelligent systems plays a role in the communication between people and space, which saves time and provides a pleasant experience beyond reality. The future home is a new way of life that integrates contemporary art and intelligent technology.

In the intelligence home experience area, the entrance space is crossed by two skyline lights. With a fascinating floating "mountain" installation, a blue abstract oil painting, and a beautiful angel boy sculpture, the design team hopes to convey the dialogue between man and nature, nature and art, and man and art, so as to endow the space with a contemporary artistic vibe and a free, natural aesthetic.

The layered ceiling is like a vortex in the universe, or the orbits of planets in space, like the essence of life, which is an endless cycle. The chandelier, resembling a spaceship, evokes the adventure of man to the distant cosmos to search for civilization.

The living room equipped with intelligent system is no longer a mere meeting place, but can accommodate to multiple scenarios at the same time. Under the voice control command, a variety of life and entertainment scenes can be realized by the change of music and lighting, be it a family gathering or a private party with friends, not to mention the study mode, movie mode, siesta mode, and karaoke mode.

In the tea room, the ceiling and walls are made of delicate wooden panels and louvers, which are well matched with the micro cement-texture sintered stone slabs. Those materials, complemented by warm strip lighting, produce a serene Wabi-sabi atmosphere. The large sloping roof with hanging plants, the rustic tables and chairs, and the simulated intelligent skylight that sheds daylight, make it possible to enjoy a ray of sunlight no matter day or night, wind or rain, which is a gift from intelligent technology.

The dining room's lighting can be customized in several modes, including a romantic Western dining mode, and a warm Chinese dining mode.

The minimalist Western kitchen space features an open form. Soft ceiling lighting makes the space both gentle and rustic. The changeable lighting and music themes, together with the adjustable natural light create an immersive home experience.

Huawei's whole-house intelligence system is intended to endow space with more scenes, to incorporate warmth in winter, coolness in summer, sensitiveness in autumn and freshness in spring. Space experience is no longer an invariable mode, and light becomes the magician of space. The scenario is freely changed with the passing of seasons and with user needs. The home is no longer a cold box built of various materials, but has an aesthetic dimension while reflecting respect for human nature.