Embracing Emptiness: Jane Ao's Award-Winning Residential Design

Exploring the Interplay of Form and Emptiness in Residential Spaces

As Buddha once said, "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form." This profound philosophy serves as the inspiration for Jane Ao's residential design, "Sense the Emptiness." Ao believes that everything, including our universe, originates from 'emptiness' and continually evolves, changes, and returns to this state. This concept is the essence of her design, which seeks to introduce subtle variations into the regularity of life.

What sets "Sense the Emptiness" apart is its subtle and slight forms. All areas of the house intermingle without losing their separate identities. This is achieved through the careful design of windows and the use of a ceiling film of irregular shape, giving the space a breath of original ecology. The wall, shaped like rolled paper, and the reflexed wall of the study room add an interesting atmosphere to the simple style.

The design was realized using only white emulsion paint, wooden floor, and some tiles with random pattern. By presenting the natural features of these simple materials, Ao created a pure space atmosphere with tactile appeal. The project, a 370 square meter house modified from a workshop, started in November 2016 in Shaanxi and was completed in August 2017.

According to Ao, one essence of residential design is the equilibrium between life and arts. She believes in looking at life from the perspective of arts and enriching the arts with real life. This philosophy is reflected in her design, which combines life and arts in a unique way.

The biggest challenge in this project was the irregularly shaped ceiling pattern in the living room and dining room. The original design was difficult to grasp in construction. However, after experimenting with the simplest construction methods, Ao was able to achieve the desired effect.

In conclusion, "Sense the Emptiness" is a testament to Jane Ao's innovative approach to residential design. By embracing the concept of emptiness, she has created a space that is both aesthetically pleasing and deeply philosophical. Her design serves as a reminder that even in the emptiness, there is form, and in the form, there is emptiness.