White Box: A Masterpiece in Minimalist Design

Xiaoying Huang's Award-Winning Design Transforms Compact Spaces

Xiaoying Huang's inspiration for the 'White Box' came from the concept of space and time. Huang believes that a space only truly exists in the presence of a human being. The interaction between space and humans brings life and warmth, creating a narrative within the space. The designer's role, according to Huang, is to prepare the space to tell its story.

The 'White Box' is a 35-square-meter store with a small front door and a long horizontal window replacing the traditional display window. The extensive use of white and well-designed light beams give the terrazzo floor an elegant appearance. The store also features a mini loft, oak stairs, footlights, and light stripes, all contributing to the connection and extension of the space.

White, being a permissive color, is used extensively in the design. Light is used strategically to guide the aerial perspective relationship of vertical and horizontal space. The white terrazzo floor, under the gentle light, feels warm and softened, adding to the elegance of the room.

The project, located in Rui'an, Wenzhou, was designed in April 2019 and completed in May 2019. The challenge was to balance function and visual appearance in a space of only 35 square meters. However, Huang's innovative design solutions have resulted in a space that is not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing.

The 'White Box' design is a testament to Huang's belief that a designer needs to consider the relationship between construction and space to make the space interesting, memorable, and unique. The design has received the Golden A' Design Award, a prestigious accolade granted to outstanding, trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom.