Lei Dong's "Zhongjiao Tianjun": An Artistic Blend of Folklore and Design

Lei Dong's award-winning sales office design inspired by ancient Chinese folklore

Lei Dong's inspiration for this project stems from the ancient practice of dredging, a revered practice in China dating back to the 3rd Millennium BCE. The legend of Emperor Yu the Great, the first ruler to implement systems of flood control in the country, serves as a key influence in the design. The designer has attempted to infuse a calming ambience into the space, using soft, earthy tones and custom furniture design to reflect an eastern sensibility and sense of historical reverence in the interior design.

The unique properties of this design lie in its location near the mountainous landscape of Jizhou, one of the northernmost districts of Tianjin in China. The designer has reinterpreted ancient Chinese folklore and fables into immersive installations and sculptures placed within a real estate exhibition space. All furniture is custom designed, and the main materials used are solid wood, stone, metal, and resin.

One of the standout features of this design is an interactive mechanical art installation, dubbed "Future Paddle," which adorns the pitched ceiling of the lobby in the negotiation area. Resembling the skeletal form of a mythical Chinese creature called Kun-Peng, often depicted as massive hybrids of birds and fish, this element draws from the creature's ability to interchange between the capabilities of both classes of organisms. The device, consisting of ribbed, transparent elements, ebbs and weaves above the rows of seating in the lobby.

Another notable feature is a dynamic sculpture, titled "The Blue Sea." Inspired by the story of Jingwei, a shipwrecked girl who transformed into a bird upon her demise, the experimental artwork combines a bench featuring a gradient of blue and white hues, with a parabolic mass of twigs and pebbles erupting from one of its edges. The polished marble floor around the sculpture serves as a representation of the sea, with the reflections on its surface completing the visual narrative.

The project, which started in March 2021 and finished in June 2021 in Tianjing, China, faced several challenges. Among the most challenging aspects was the installation and debugging of the interactive mechanical art device, "Future Paddle." The exact duration for which this dynamic device alternates between running and staying still is controlled as per the time set in the operating program.

In conclusion, Lei Dong's "Zhongjiao Tianjun" is a testament to the designer's ability to blend ancient folklore with modern design. The project showcases his unique approach to interior design, infusing spaces with a calming ambience and a sense of historical reverence. It is no surprise that this design has been recognized with a prestigious A' Design Award.