Situated in the Huamao Apartment within Beijing’s Guomao CBD, this project is designed for a renowned young film director. The owner envisioned a space that not only fosters focused creativity, detached from urban chaos, but also accommodates occasional relaxation and mental rejuvenation.
The design thus aims to create an integrated yet functionally independent environment, allowing the director to seamlessly transition between work and leisure, balancing dynamism and tranquility.
While prioritizing the studio’s professional needs, the layout carves out dedicated zones for living and rest. Though unified within a single volume, these areas cater to distinct scenarios.
By breaking away from traditional compartmentalization, the space becomes open and fluid, expanding possibilities for diverse uses while ensuring functional completeness and flexibility.
The spatial orchestration prioritizes holistic integration and interactive flow, synergizing architectural daylighting advantages with high-rise vistas. Strategic transparency achieves spatial amplification while enriching living experiences through phenomenological layering.
South-facing floor-to-ceiling windows draw in natural light and urban vistas, dissolving functional boundaries to create an adaptive space that fluidly transitions between work and living modes, empowering residents to curate their spatial experience with poetic versatility.
A display wall demarcates the functional spatial scenes. On one side, the study and home theater exude a sense of “quiet” tranquility, while on the other side, the multi-functional space is imbued with a sense of “dynamic” energy.
Between pushing and pulling, the spatial order is reorganized. The realms of living and working can be integrated or separated, adding to the possibilities of shaping the beauty and enhancing the fun of spatial experience.
The spatial planning emphasizes holistic interactivity, leveraging natural light and panoramic high-rise views to enhance openness and enrich the living experience. Floor-to-ceiling south-facing windows frame sunlight and cityscapes, blurring functional boundaries and enabling effortless shifts between work and residential modes.
The design meticulously addresses the director’s professional demands, integrating ample storage and display systems. Books, equipment, and personal items are elegantly concealed within walls, cabinets, and drawers, while dedicated showcases highlight film props, awards, and collectibles, infusing artistic flair.
The living room, dining area, open kitchen, and concealed bedroom flow continuously without solid partitions. Each zone transcends its conventional role: the living room doubles as a reception area, the dining space transforms into a collaborative meeting zone, the kitchen serves as a tea lounge, and the hidden bedroom remains a tranquil retreat.
Here, light and shadow intertwine, weaving life and creativity into a silent poem. Amidst the urban bustle, this sanctuary becomes a vessel for inspiration and warmth, where every corner captures the beauty of living and the birth of art.
Project Name: The Director's Studio
Design Firm: MARS Studio
Design Period: March 2024 – April 2024
Completion: November 2024
Location: Beijing, China
Area: 110 sqm
Lead Architect: Ma Ning
Design Team: Li Ying, Chen Yue, Zhang Chen, Zhu Ke
Wood product: Tao Tao
Lighting Design: Tian Zhen, Chen Mengting
Furniture: Hay, &tradition,Herman Mille