Shiyi: A Harmonious Blend of Nature and Modernity

Yannan Zhang and Xiahong Yan's Award-Winning Office Design

The design of Shiyi was inspired by the daily work area of the designers at ELEVEN. The goal was to create a space that not only ensured functionality but also provided a unique spatial experience that could inspire creativity. The designers achieved this by using interspersed blocks to outline the office, layering these to highlight the contrast and variability of the wall. The result is a space that balances openness and rigidity, using simple colors and primitive textures formed from stone, wood, and metal.

One of the unique features of Shiyi is its interlaced and contrasting geometric surfaces and lines. The designers have struck an aesthetically balanced proportion between rounded edges and straight lines, creating an eye-catching element in the space. The single chair that decorates the monotonous space brings the vitality of nature into the room, while modern materials reflect the surrounding objects.

Shiyi's design process was not without its challenges. The height of the space, at 5.38 meters, had to be divided into two floors, requiring precise handling to ensure comfort on the lower floor and functional height requirements on the second floor. The designers also had to solve problems related to the beam left by opening up the space, which they did by introducing a two-way-out Y-shaped staircase that leads to two different areas through two diverse pathways.

The project, which started in August 2020 in Zhejiang Wenzhou and finished in January 2021, was influenced by the Scarpa concept and ancient decorations. The designers used several rocks as the starting point, integrating primitive textures into a minimalist space. These rocks serve as a spiritual transmission, a spatial feature, a memory point, and a concrete figure, enhancing people's awareness of space.

Shiyi is a testament to the designers' ability to blend nature and modernity, creating a space that is not only functional but also inspiring. The design, which won the Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2022, is a reflection of the designers' outstanding expertise and innovation, showcasing a remarkable level of excellence that introduces positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.