▲ South facade
▲ North facade
This project is situated in Zhuang City, Ningbo. The owner, an artist, has a distinctive vision for his private residence. He desires an interior space that is layered, transparent, and cohesive, while also fully utilizing the outdoor courtyard.
▲ Courtyard
Reflecting on this, we recalled Su Dongpo’s words: “A garden without stones is not beautiful, and a study without stones is not elegant.” The Taihu Lake stone is characterized by “leakage,” “penetration,” and “display.” Leakage and penetration symbolize the permeability and continuity of space, while display represents the elegance of form and materials.
Taking the owner’s spatial needs into account, the design creates a home with intricate internal spaces and interwoven layers, paired with a simple yet elegant exterior.
▲ Elegant and subtle exterior
▲ Conceptual analysis
The interior space echoes the Taihu Lake stone’s feature of “leakage” from top to bottom. It incorporates various vertically elevated spaces and staggered rooms from east to west, allowing natural flow of sunlight, air, and movement throughout the residence.
▲ Model analysis
▲ Dining area with open space
▲ Skylight above the staircase with resting area below
▲ Staggered perforated staircase
▲ View of staircase from living room
▲ Staircase with open space (BIM)
▲ Interior view
The exterior reflects the staggered layers of the interior space. These internal layers are connected through half-level staircases, allowing seamless movement inside and out. This circulation mirrors walking up and down the Taihu Lake stone, blending inside and outside environments.
Spatially, it embodies the Taihu Lake stone’s “penetration” characteristic — not only visual transparency but also spatial continuity.
▲ Bird’s-eye view
▲ Model analysis
▲ Outdoor staircase
▲ View of surrounding trees from outdoor balcony
The interior and exterior spaces are seamlessly integrated. The facade is coated with concrete paint, resembling the texture of the Taihu Lake stone, giving the building a refined and harmonious aura.
Wood grain aluminum alloy frames for windows and railings add warmth to the living environment.
Aluminum alloy window frames emphasize the building’s elegance
▲ View looking up from outside
▲ Exterior walls of the building
This house resembles an abstract Taihu Lake stone, embodying poetic spatial qualities. Standing in the courtyard, one can sit back and watch the clouds drift by.
▲ Leisurely walking in the courtyard, watching clouds roll and relax
Design Drawings:
▲ General layout plan
▲ Basement and first floor plan
▲ Second and third floor plans
▲ Fourth floor and roof plan
▲ Elevation view
▲ Sectional view
Project Information:
Project Name: Ningbo Artist’s Private Residence
Project Type: Private (BIM Learning) Residential Building
Location: Zhuangshi Street, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province
Land & Building Area: 434 square meters above ground / 135 square meters underground
Design Year & Completion: 2018
Designer: Shanghai Jifan Architectural Design Firm
Office Website: www.shjifan.net
Lead Architect: Zhang Jingang
Design Team: Zhang Jingang, Xu Taotao
Owner: Ningbo-based artist
Photographer: Aladeen Knefaty
Main Materials: concrete coating, aluminum alloy doors and windows, outdoor wooden flooring
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