Aqua Retreat Residence is a 980-square-meter family home in Ningbo, China. The design balances warm teak minimalism with an immersive aquarium-inspired basement, creating a layered living experience where adults find tranquility and children discover wonder.
Warm teak defines the adult living areas. Clean white walls and abundant natural light highlight the texture of the wood and the purity of the surfaces. Every element is stripped back to its essential form, allowing the materials themselves to speak. The result is a calm, minimalist atmosphere for daily family life.
The children's zone is designed as a multifunctional space for play, learning, and rest. A solar system theme wall serves as the focal point, merging scientific education with aesthetic appeal. A slide-integrated bed adds an element of fun while saving floor space. Every detail, from the interactive learning corners to the playful storage facades, is designed to evolve with the child's age and interests.
The basement level features an 8-meter custom aquarium that runs through the wellness area like an underwater corridor. Whether in the sauna, the wellness zone, or the private gym, the water remains in view as a calming visual anchor. The aquarium is not merely a decorative feature; it is the emotional heart of the home. Through custom tempered glass partitions, controlled blue LED ambient lighting, and the contrast with warm teak finishes, the basement fully transcends its typical subterranean character. Light and shadow dance through the water, creating an ever-changing canvas of reflections and movements. The result is an underwater healing sanctuary where every family member can unwind, surrounded by the gentle movement of aquatic life.
The home theater features a wood-grain acoustic fabric screen. When lowered, it functions as a high-performance theater screen. When retracted, it reveals a warm wood wall that blends seamlessly with the surrounding teak veneer. This acoustically transparent screen is wrapped in teak veneer and wood-effect finishes, blurring the line between artificial and natural.
Teak veneer is crafted with meticulous attention to detail. The continuous wood grain flows into seamless edge transitions, revealing a warm and refined natural texture. Every joint and corner is treated with the same level of care. Through multiple design iterations and precise dimension checks, every node is meticulously placed, ensuring a flawless transition from concept to reality. The design team collaborated closely with skilled fabricators to achieve tolerances rarely seen in residential projects.
Aqua Retreat Residence is more than a family home. It is a sanctuary where water, wood, and light work in harmony. Adults can retreat from the noise of the world, while children embark on daily adventures of discovery. By balancing Eastern philosophical aesthetics with contemporary spatial logic, the design integrates natural elements, sensory experience, and cultural narrative. The 8-meter aquarium redefines what a basement can be. The solar system wall reimagines how a bedroom can educate. This project stands as a testament to the belief that design serves as a bridge between culture, sustainability, and the emotional resonance of home.
2022
2024
Project area: 980 m²
Location: Ningbo, China
Completion year: 2024
Design scope: Full interior architecture, custom joinery, lighting design, and aquarium integration
Key materials: Natural teak veneer, white wall finish, acoustic fabric with wood-grain finish, tempered glass aquarium panels, LED ambient lighting system
Key features: 8-meter custom aquarium, solar system theme wall, slide-integrated children's bed, sauna and wellness area, private gym, home theater with acoustically transparent screen
Interior Architecture: MOYIN ARCHITECTURE
Lead Designer: Sung Hung-ching
Design Team: MOYIN SPACE design team
Aquarium Engineering: Specialized aquarium consultant
Photographer: BOBO
BO BO
