A la carte
A la carte
HERITAGE SHANGHAI
Villa Art Déco
OBJECTIVES: Renovation. Modernize and adapt the layout in the respect of the heritage villa. Combination of the historic past of the house, the modern needs and the personal items of the client.
SOLUTIONS: Open the layout and create new spaces with maximum of comfort.
Using Art Déco as a guiding theme to bring different styles together.
CONSTRUCTION WORKS: build walls to create a study, enlarge windows, create glass doors, build a terrace, a new floor, electricity,painting
Sourcing: bathroom and kitchen equipments, furnitures, accessories
HERITAGE
Shanghai is noted for having more Art Deco buildings than any other city. First built in 1910, the villa is an excellent example.
This villa which was often occupied by single family during the turn of the century, have changed over the course of the city’s economic history. It is now occupied by two families, one on each floor, sharing the stair case. The project was to renovate the first floor with the garden.
ART DECO
The villa is a wonderful blend of Eastern and Western design. Heritage of the veritable melting pot of this period in Shanghai. The owner of the apartment is also from a dual culture: French and Chinese.
During its heyday, Art Deco represented luxury, glamour, exuberance and faith in social and technological progress. It reflects perfectly the way of living of the owner and enhance the past of the house.
A touch of minimalism arose in response to the perceived busyness and extravagant Art Déco.
Capturing the spirit of the historic past and making new
The entrance lobby remained unchanged because it is shared by the two apartments occupants. An oak winding stairway leads upstairs to the second apartment and an original wood floor has been carefully restored.
The apartment starts in a large living room with decorated stuc walls. Antique Chinese and Art Déco furniture are perfectly matched to modern items. The wood floor was in such a bad state that it has to be removed, it is now made of terrazzo as we often find in old houses in Shanghai. The terrazzo is one of the main element of decoration that we can see all around the villa and on the terrace. The study opened on the living room is like a black boxe made of dark wood, with its floor slightly raised.
With the complex and redundant interplay of textures and custom-made elements concurring to define the sophisticated atmosphere , a one-of-a-kind experience lousily inspired, in the intentions of the client, to the decadent turn-of-the-Century French ‘Salons’.
As we are on the ground floor, light was an important challenge. The windows were enlarged and the electricity as well as the lighting were rethought.
The terrace which fill almost all the garden was desired by the owner and her two children to enjoy an outdoor life. We installed many sofas, dining furniture and barbecue.
A coat of black paint helps the sophisticated space feel even more comfortable and intimate.
