Lake Tai Villa by Zhang Haihua, Z+H Interior Design

New Interior Design Work by Zhang Haihua: A Poetic Dialogue Between Southern Chinese and Modernist Aesthetics

----------------------------

Qian Yong, Lu Yuan Cong Hua, circa Qing Dynasty

White pavilions, a gentle breeze, verdant grass and trees, covered bridges curving over clear water, picturesque scenery integrated with interior spaces: in classical Eastern aesthetic sensibilities, a courtyard provides peace and leisure, a place of joy and respite from the outside world. While traditional oriental aesthetics are somewhat removed from the contemporary urban experience in terms of style and form, their spirit remains relevant and provides an intriguing conceptual basis for the modern designer.

Located in the vicinity of Jiangsu Province’s famous Lake Tai, the project’s site occupies a space of over 1,000 square meters, 600 of which comprise a central courtyard. Surrounded by a modernist covered walkway and bounded by a series of pools, the courtyard visually and spatially connects to the interior spaces of the residence to which it belongs. Indoor and outdoor boundaries dissolve, the garden and the rooms adjacent to it echo one another, and people walk in the garden as if they were part of a painted composition.

Zhang Haihua has used minimalist principles to structure the project’s courtyard, removing any unneeded elements in order to create a space notable for its simplicity, elegance, and clarity. The water of the pool circumscribes the courtyard like a jade belt, bringing nature and architecture together into close, well-proportioned connection. People walking through and adjacent to the courtyard are introduced to a continual series of unexpected views due to the skillful modulations of the interior layout. Although the architectural language is one of Western modernism, the courtyard design subtly incorporates a sense of Oriental aesthetic refinement and a multifaceted garden experience.