Eastern Aesthetics: Blending Ancient and Contemporary Design

A New Eastern Holiday Lifestyle

This villa, designed by Haihua Zhang, draws inspiration from the lifestyle of the Southern Song Dynasty, achieving a harmonious balance between contemporary architecture and ancient design.

This villa, named Eastern Aesthetics, is a testament to the fusion of ancient and contemporary design. Inspired by the lifestyle of the Southern Song Dynasty, renowned designer Haihua Zhang has created a space that embodies the essence of traditional Chinese architecture while embracing modern aesthetics.

Spanning an impressive 1300 square meters, Eastern Aesthetics showcases the ideal style of ancient literati in the Southern Song Dynasty, offering a new eastern holiday lifestyle. The layout of the house is meticulously developed along a central baseline, reminiscent of the sequential features found in ancient Chinese architecture.

The villa's design pays homage to the classical craftsmanship of the Master of the Nets Garden in Suzhou, known for its intricate details and elegant simplicity. The wood walls, adorned with the artistry of old draftsmen specializing in Ming-style furniture, showcase the traditional craftsmanship of Suzhou-style furniture. The customized woodworking joints bring out the traditional artistry, adding a touch of heritage to the contemporary space.

Upon entering the villa, guests are greeted by a splendid entrance that expands into the main outdoor area. Crafty architectural elements and elaborate ornaments adorn the space, creating a sense of grandeur. The courtyard, with its captivating wood rails and flower petal-like lighting fixtures, serves as a focal point, blending classical and contemporary elements seamlessly.

The villa's interior features a juxtaposition of classical and modern elements. Blue cozy and fashionable garden chairs, scattered throughout the space, create a contrast against the wood rails, allowing daylight to filter through and illuminate the area. This interplay of light and shadow adds depth and visual interest to the design.

Designing Eastern Aesthetics posed a unique challenge - blending the ancient style with the contemporary style in a harmonious way. Haihua Zhang skillfully intermingled the two, ensuring that they retain their separate identities while coexisting in perfect harmony. The result is a space that transports guests to a bygone era while offering the comfort and convenience of modern living.

Completed in November 2018 in Suzhou, Eastern Aesthetics stands as a testament to the designer's admiration for the living ways of the Southern Song Dynasty and the beauty of contemporary design. It is a space that invites residents and visitors alike to experience a new eastern holiday lifestyle, where tradition and modernity converge.

Eastern Aesthetics was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in 2020 for its outstanding and creatively ingenious design. This prestigious award recognizes designs that incorporate best practices in art, science, design, and technology, contributing to quality of life improvements and making the world a better place.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Haihua Zhang
Image Credits: All images: Photographer Yunpu Cai
Project Team Members: Haihua Zhang
Project Name: Eastern Aesthetics
Project Client: Haihua Zhang


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