As Wished by Jade Simple Design

When we met the client, herself a designer, this collaboration broke free from the rigid framework of the client-designer dynamic from the very start. It was this complete trust, born of the empathy between kindred creative spirits, that allowed us to craft this abode named "Wish Fulfilled" hand in hand.

A renowned fashion designer, the client held a clear aesthetic vision and a strong sense of self for her home. For my part, I did not step into this project purely as a spatial designer. This creative endeavor was more like a mutual dialogue between two like-minded old friends, each having honed their craft for years; it was a profound experiment in residential living, and even more so, an introspection and exploration of high-rise residence design.

How to transform a cookie-cutter high-end finished high-rise apartment into the poetic home the client envisioned was the greatest challenge of this project, and also the core proposition guiding our in-depth practice in the renovation and design of high-rise dwellings. A high-rise residence is inherently a cold, uninspired box-like structure, and each home within it is merely one of hundreds of identical modular units. This rigid, one-size-fits-all design for mass housing has long failed to stir emotional resonance or a sense of life anticipation in independent-minded residents. We thus chose to cast aside the fixed physical boundaries of the building and reimagine the space from within, forging an entirely new form that is fluid, light and gentle. A staircase with an artisanal texture not only connects the two floors but also cultivates a relaxed, unconfined spatial atmosphere. The curved ceiling design subtly echoes the overall spatial relationships, allowing inhabitants to momentarily forget the constraint of living high above the ground. The large double-layered floor-to-ceiling windows on the front facade frame all the outdoor scenery in its entirety, drawing the indoor view far into the distance and further blurring the building's physical boundaries. The fusion of these design elements ultimately shatters people's stereotypical perceptions of high-rise residences, endowing this limited space with the capacity and power to hold poetry and the distant horizon.

The functional design of the space is deeply intertwined with the resident's lifestyle—a sincere embrace of pragmatism that follows the fulfillment of her spiritual aspirations. The essence of a home lies in authentic daily use, the fundamental distinction that sets it apart from exhibition and display spaces. Functionality and adaptability, therefore, stand as the paramount tenets of a home. Within the limited space, we adopted non-standard design approaches to break down the functional boundaries of the interior, striking a perfect balance between practicality and versatility. The living and dining area forms a relationship of independent coexistence with the foyer, staircase, kitchen and study, unmarked by rigid physical dividers. Each functional zone boasts its own dedicated usage scenarios and basic amenities, while also providing atmospheric support for the others, merging seamlessly into a cohesive family social space that gracefully accommodates all the uncertainties and possibilities of daily life. All of this is made possible by the profound understanding and trust between us and the client, enabling the space to adeptly adapt to her personal needs and the dynamic changes of life.

It has been more than five years since the client first conceived the idea of renovating her home to the moment we brought the final design to fruition together. This long, painstaking process of refinement was never merely about satisfying our own spiritual gratification. As designers, we aspire for this profound residential practice to offer a life inspiration and a living model for young people who dwell in the bustle of modern cities all year round. In truth, poetry and the distant horizon do not lie in far-off lands, but in one's state of mind. Every independent-minded individual seeks their own inner state and a channel to express their unique personality, and the only space that can gently cradle this state of mind and provide a haven for the self is home.

Design Director: Wen Chao
Design Team: Zeng Weiwei, Wei Huan
Overall Coordination: Jade Simple
DesignOwner Information: Xiaoxue Ban (Renowned Fashion Designer)
Photography: Boundary Photography & Wen Chao