Shanghai Villa: A Modern Take on 1930s Art Deco

Feng Guoqiang and Chen Yan Revive Art Deco in a Unique Shanghai Villa

The inspiration behind this design is twofold: the male owner's profession in the financial industry, reminiscent of the Great Gatsby, and the hostess's fondness for the 1930s Art Deco style of old Shanghai. The façade of the building, upon closer inspection, also revealed Art Deco characteristics, providing a solid foundation for the design concept.

What sets this design apart is its sheer scale. Private villas of this size are rare in China, making the project unique from the outset. Feng Guoqiang and Chen Yan have crafted a space that not only aligns with the owner's preferred Art Deco style but also accommodates a contemporary lifestyle. The consistency of the space is maintained through carefully selected furniture, lamps, and accessories from Italy and France, many of which originate from the 1930s.

The villa's realization involved adding a second-floor slab in the living room and a reading room in the basement. A wine cellar, tea room, home theater, and logistics area were incorporated under the garden hills, enhancing the villa's functionality without compromising the structural integrity of the original building. The indoor space spans 2300 sq.m., while the outdoor garden covers 1600 sq.m.

The design process involved extensive research into the villa complex's architecture and the Art Deco style prominent in 1930s Shanghai. The designers consulted literature, conducted site surveys, and analyzed photographs to create elements that truly belong to this space. One of the challenges faced was the three-story height of the original living room, which felt empty. The addition of a second-floor slab and a reading room in the basement effectively addressed this issue.

The villa's design journey began in January 2017 and reached completion in January 2019. The project's success is evident in its accolade - a Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2019, a testament to its creative and professional excellence. The intellectual property rights of the design belong to Guoqiang Feng and Yan Chen.