Beijing
2013 - 2015
230 m2 / 2500 ft2
Beginning with the owner’s stated preference for a home with abundant natural light, the name of this project was adapted from that of a famous Beijing garden. The idea of “perfect brightness” was explored architecturally: beginning with research into the psychological effects of different qualities and colors of daylight, a system was developed whereby ambient lighting could change from warm to cool white, depending on the season, time of day, and outdoor lighting conditions. The light is “concentrated” at the center in two twisting, shell-shaped feature walls, drawing visitors in from the entry.
Further, working from the owner’s second preference – to eliminate clutter and create a suitable environment to display an art collection – it was decided that all interior walls would be clad folding wood doors, 132 in total, that would essentially make them all transformable: when open, bookshelves, storage areas, televisions and headboards would be revealed; when closed, all would be concealed, leaving only a simple space forming a serene, museum-like backdrop for artworks.
American Institute of Architects, Los Angeles, Single-Family Residential Merit Award, 2019
Interior Design Magazine, Best of Year Awards; Honoree, 2016
American Institute of Architects, New York State; Citation Award for Residential Architecture, 2016
Illuminating Engineering Society; International Award of Merit, 2016
Illuminating Engineering Society, Toronto Section; Illumination Award 2016
American Institute of Architects, Buffalo/Western New York; Merit Award for Residential Architecture, 2015
AN Interior; Design Award, 2015
designers: Adam Sokol, AIA, principal; Daymond Robinson, project architect; Gregory Serweta, designer
collaborators: Smith + Andersen (lighting design), Claudy Jongstra (textile design)
photography: Jonathan Leijonhufvud