yinjispace

INTERIOR
Gumuziyue Spsce Design
PHOTOGRAPHY
Jinxiang Photography | Liu Ying
EDITOR
Gina
Collection

Here’s the refined English translation that preserves the philosophical depth and spatial artistry of the original text:This project takes Zhonghe (Doctrine of the Mean) as its spiritual core. Rather than a mere accumulation of oriental symbols, it translates traditional philosophy into tangible spatial experiences. From the reconfiguration of spatial deconstruction order, to the poetic expression of artistic conception, and down to the meticulous refinement of materials and craftsmanship, it ultimately achieves the contemporary oriental ideal of habitation: "harmony between humanity and nature, and the peaceful settlement of body and mind".

Derived from The Doctrine of the Mean in Confucianism—"When equilibrium is attained, heaven and earth will be in their proper positions, and all things will flourish"—Zhonghe constitutes the spiritual essence of oriental culture. It pursues the balanced coexistence of space and nature, and of humans and their surroundings; it embodies dynamism within order, and radiates warmth within restraint.With Zhonghe as the guiding thread, every design element—from spatial deconstruction to artistic conception—serves as a contemporary interpretation of oriental philosophy.Translation Notes for Accuracy & Nuance.

Order reconstruction that blurs boundaries breaks the sense of fragmentation in traditional spaces and reshapes spatial logic with a "sense of sequence": colonnades, grilles and screens form a progressive layered structure, which not only defines functional zones but also maintains visual connectivity through semi-transparent materials.From the low staircase wall at the ground-floor entrance, to the colonnade in the transition zone on the second floor, and further to the core functional area, the space flows naturally between "separation and transparency" and "contraction and expansion", implicitly embodying the balanced wisdom of the "Doctrine of the Mean".

The harshness of the architectural structure is softened by rounding the edges of columns and applying an integrated micro-cement finish to walls, thus seamlessly integrating the structure with the space.This angularity-eliminating design not only echoes the philosophy of "harmony without uniformity" but also endows the space with greater inclusiveness, dispelling the coldness inherent in modern architecture.

We create a poetic habitation atmosphere of contemporary oriental liubai (negative space) and spatial breathing.With large-scale plain walls and minimalist lines outlining the spatial framework, the deliberately reserved "blank spaces" are not emptiness—instead, they serve as a stage reserved for light and shadow, materials, and human activities. Just like the liubai technique in traditional Chinese ink painting, these blank spaces endow the space with a sense of breathability, evoking a quiet and relaxed state of mind in those who experience it.

We adopt the approach of "borrowed scenery for symbiosis", introducing natural elements into the interior space.The shadows of outdoor trees are filtered into the room through semi-transparent gauze curtains; with withered branches and raw stones as decorative landscaping elements, nature is seamlessly extended into the space. This technique of "borrowed scenery" is not only a contemporary interpretation of classical gardens, but also materializes the oriental artistic conception of "harmony between humanity and nature", allowing people in the space to maintain a constant connection with nature.

Expression of Warmth Within Restraint: The Harmonious Narrative of Colors and Lighting in Earth Tones.The space adopts an overall palette of earth tones such as off-white, light brown, and deep wood color, free from intense color clashes. Layers are solely created through the varying shades of materials. This low-saturation color system not only aligns with the restrained aesthetics of Zhonghe (Doctrine of the Mean) but also lays a warm and serene foundation for the space, refocusing visual attention on the materials themselves and the interplay of light and shadow.

Emotional Guidance Through the Interplay of Light and ShadowA combination of "indirect lighting + accent lighting" is adopted.Linear light strips are concealed at the junctions of ceilings and walls to create soft ambient light; while wall lamps and table lamps are used locally to illuminate functional zones, forming a contrast between light and shadow. Glare from direct lighting is avoided. The "seeing light but not the fixtures" approach mimics the gentle texture of natural light, allowing the space to present rich emotional layers at different times of the day, which implicitly echoes the oriental philosophy of "harmony between yin and yang".

The soft furnishings follow the principles of "restraint, precision and localization".without any redundant ornamentation. The furnishings feature natural materials, with each piece carrying the warmth of handcraftsmanship and echoing the Zhonghe (Doctrine of the Mean) temperament of the space. Greenery is merely accented with scattered withered branches and moss, avoiding over-landscaping—allowing natural elements to serve as the finishing touches of the space rather than a visual distraction.

MORE PHOTOS