The Golden Age: A Fusion of East and West in Recreational Design

Wei-Hua Hung and Hai-Shin Li Redefine Social Spaces with Poetic Elegance

Shanghai's Golden Age, a high-end private reception hall, beautifully blends Eastern and Western design techniques to create an immersive, age-diverse social space. Inspired by the elegant social scenes of Europe's 17th-18th century salons and China's ancient gatherings, this award-winning design by Wei-Hua Hung and Hai-Shin Li redefines the concept of a recreational space.

The Golden Age is divided into three distinct areas: the hidden area, the art zone, and the Trendy room. Each area is designed around the works of ancient Chinese poets, creating a unique atmosphere that caters to different age groups and life states. The design team has meticulously curated each space to reflect the themes of the chosen poems, creating an immersive experience that marries East and West.

The hidden area, designed for people over 45, is a luxurious private space located at the innermost side of the building. The design emphasizes hiding and vagueness, ambiguity and introverted feelings, reflecting the theme of Li's poem, "Rouged Lips." The art zone, located in the central area, is designed for 35-45 year-olds. The style is based on Su's poem, "Written on the Wall at West Forest Temple," encouraging young entrepreneurs to broaden their vision of life.

The Golden Age is a testament to the innovative use of materials and technology. The design team utilized a variety of materials, including marble, jade, granite, volcanic stone, stone bark, teak, beech, paint, iron stainless steel, titanium plating, copper bar, embossed copper plate, mirror surface, lock plate, and leather-covered wood. The result is a space that is not only visually stunning but also functional and flexible.

Located in Shanghai, a city rich in cultural heritage and bustling with international trade, technology, and fashion, the Golden Age is a reflection of the city's character. The design project, which took place from 2018 to 2019, was a response to the citizens' emphasis on social and spiritual life. The owner's vision was to create a space that would serve as a platform for art performances and fashion shows, promoting interpersonal interaction and enriching the city's connotation.

The Golden Age faced several design challenges, including integrating the artistic conception of Chinese literature into a private reception hall based on Western architectural concepts. The design team successfully overcame these challenges, creating a space that is gentle and restrained in the Hidden space, eye-opening in the Art Zone, and trendy and bold in the Trendy area. The result is an immersive experience that combines the East and the West.

The Golden Age's unique design and innovative approach to social space have earned it the prestigious Golden A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2020. This award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. The Golden Age is indeed a testament to Wei-Hua Hung and Hai-Shin Li's extraordinary excellence in design.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Creative Group
Image Credits: Shuowei Huang Photography
Project Team Members: Wei-Hua Hung , Hai-Shin Li , Tsung-ju Lu ,Yu-Chi Liu, Bi-Yuan Tang, Xing-Song Liu
Project Name: The Golden Age
Project Client: Creative Group


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