A White House: A Blend of Classic and Contemporary

Golden A' Design Award Winner Liu Kai's Unique Residential Design

The project, which began in May 2016 and completed in November 2017, is a testament to Liu Kai's belief that a house should not just be a structure, but a home that carries the growth, experiences, and hopes of its inhabitants. The design is a reflection of a self-made life, not defined by material possessions, but by the joy and happiness found in simple, everyday moments.

What sets 'A White House' apart is its unique architectural features. The residence, located in an old-style lane in Shanghai, was originally built in 1947. The building, 5.5 meters wide and about 15.2 meters deep, has been transformed by Liu Kai and his team into a modern, light-filled space. The design includes a semi-open area on the first floor that blurs the boundary between indoor and outdoor, creating a seamless connection between the home and its surroundings.

One of the major challenges faced during the design process was the poor indoor lighting due to the building's deep depth and complex compartments. To overcome this, Liu Kai redesigned the central area of the house, incorporating skylights and vertical lighting windows. The staircase, originally located on the northern side, was torn down and redesigned to become the center of the architecture, reshaping the whole logic and form of the 3-story building.

The design also includes unique features such as a hole reserved in the courtyard for planting a tree, symbolizing growth and the passage of time. The main materials used in the design include metal plate, stoving varnish, felt, art paint, and punched plate. The result is a design that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, a perfect blend of classic and contemporary.

'A White House' is not just a design project, but a reflection of Liu Kai's philosophy of life and design. It is a testament to his belief that design can bring more tolerance into life, and that a house, no matter how imperfect, can be transformed into a warm and welcoming home. This belief, coupled with his innovative design approach, has earned him the prestigious Golden A' Design Award in 2018.