Gray Box: A Minimalist Residence Inspired by the Countryside

A Unique Landscape in Rural Self-Built Housing

When it comes to rural self-built housing, the stereotype image is a countrified house made of multi-storey grids without any sense of design. However, hidden in a distant coastal village in Shantou, Gray Box breaks this mold. AD Architecture redefines rural self-built housing by incorporating minimalism and pureness of black, white, and gray, creating a unique landscape within this self-built house. The design aims to maximize space utilization and eliminate unnecessary clutter.

The main materials used in the construction of Gray Box include wood finishes, tiles, gray glass, stone, and matte white paint. The building area spans 250 square meters, providing ample space for the residents to enjoy.

With skillful collocation of different materials such as leather, wood, tiles, and gray glass, the design enriches the space's temperament and style. The black, white, and gray color palette serves as a canvas for a black, white, and gray art painting, infusing a touch of lightness and chic reminiscent of ink-wash painting. The unique metal appliances further enhance the personal style and taste of the space. The combination of a quiet atmosphere and artistic air creates an immersive and concise environment.

The Gray Box project started in August 2016 and was completed in March 2017 in Shantou, China. The design team, led by Peihe Xie, included Jianan Li, Qian Zhou, and Fenda Wu.

Minimalism is the underlying design philosophy for Gray Box. It rejects overly complicated design, avoids excessive ornamentation, and pursues a more suitable living environment through subtraction. The biggest challenge faced by the design team was transforming the routine practice of rural self-built housing. The layout of the space perfectly combines Eastern and Western design philosophies, resulting in a pure modernist style. The simple yet refined proportions of the space, coupled with the large windows framing beautiful scenery and the soft window screening allowing in gentle light, create a Zen-like atmosphere.

Gray Box has been recognized for its outstanding design and was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2018 in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category. This prestigious award is given to well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. Gray Box's integration of industry best practices and competent technical characteristics contributes to a better world.