River Residence

Guangzhou, China

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River Residence

Guangzhou, China

Firm

OHSTUDIO

Type

Residential › Apartment

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2024

SIZE

0 sqft - 1000 sqft

BUDGET

Undisclosed

Nestled along Guangzhou’s Pearl River, this intervention reimagines a conventional condominium as a rural-inspired sanctuary for an artist drawn to neoclassical order and impressionist lightness. The design mediates between historical reverence and modern restraint, employing raw timber, exposed concrete, and lime plaster to cultivate a non-toxic, tactile authenticity. Sculptural, curvilinear forms delineate multifunctional spaces within a compact plan, their contours echoing the client’s painterly abstractions. A biophilic choreography of light, air, and shadow animates daily rhythms, framing the riverine landscape as a living fresco. Rejecting urban transience, the project embraces enduring material simplicity, elevating everyday rituals into quiet, transcendent moments.

The client, a professional oil painting artist, approached the studio with a clear yet challenging brief: to transform a generic condominium unit in Guangzhou’s dense urban fabric into a rural-inspired retreat that would double as both a private residence and an informal gallery. Deeply influenced by the order of neoclassical architecture and the atmospheric light of 19th-century impressionist works, the client sought a synthesis of these dual sensibilities through an architecture of restraint, one that would harmonize historical resonance with contemporary ecological imperatives.

One significant constraint was the building’s existing framework—a typical commercial apartment with limited spatial flexibility and mechanical ventilation systems. No major structural changes were permitted, requiring inventive solutions within the original layout. The challenge lay in crafting a spatially fluid, functionally versatile environment within a compact footprint.

To achieve this, the design intentionally employed untreated solid timber, exposed in-situ concrete flooring, lime plaster walls, and custom solid wood joinery for furniture and shelving. No synthetic finishes, engineered boards, or chemical coatings were used, ensuring a toxin-free, low-maintenance environment designed for longevity. Subtle, curvilinear forms were introduced to soften spatial transitions and delineate multifunctional zones while retaining openness.

The construction process demanded close on-site collaboration with local craftsmen unfamiliar with the project’s artisanal detailing and finishing techniques. Numerous material trials, particularly in concrete pigmentation and lime plaster application, were conducted to achieve the desired raw, tactile finish. The result is a meticulously executed, sensory-rich residence that quietly celebrates material purity, craftsmanship, and the poetry of natural light.