Exploring the Citeduciel Apartment: A Harmony of Confucianism and Taoism

Song Han's Award-Winning Design Fuses Ancient Philosophies with Modern Aesthetics

The inspiration for the Citeduciel Apartment stems from the dualistic nature of Chinese philosophy. Confucianism, with its emphasis on moral codes, rules, and striving, is a guiding force in the first half of life. Taoism, on the other hand, with its focus on freedom, naturalness, and non-aggression, is a spiritual pursuit for the latter half of life. The design of the apartment reflects this duality, aiming to help individuals achieve the perfection of their life value within the space.

The unique properties of the Citeduciel Apartment lie in its ability to awaken the sensitivity of various sensory organs within the human body. Using concrete space as a medium, the design incorporates different space functions to stimulate the senses with essential life elements. This approach aims to awaken our sense of presence, encourage self-reflection, and provide an opportunity to experience the true pleasure and wisdom of life. This philosophy is encapsulated in the name of the apartment, "Xing wo zhai".

The realization of this design was made possible through the use of solid wood flooring, white paint, white perforated aluminum plate, white fluorocarbon baking paint board, and marble. Covering an area of 750m2, the Citeduciel Apartment is a testament to Song Han's innovative use of materials and space.

Located in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China, the project took over a year to complete, starting in March 2016 and finishing in April 2017. The design team, led by Song Han, included Wu Hairong, Zhu Yijing, Li Shiru, Chen Chenyi, Chen Wenya, and Xu Chao. Their collective effort resulted in a space that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also deeply rooted in Chinese philosophy.

The Citeduciel Apartment has been recognized for its innovative design, winning the Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2019. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, strong technical characteristics, and splendid artistic skill. The Citeduciel Apartment, with its harmonious blend of ancient philosophies and modern aesthetics, is indeed a deserving recipient of this accolade.