Striking Undulating Walls Transformed this "Living Room" in Shenzhen

Groundwork Architects & Associates has conceived an urban ‘living room’ for the Shenzhen district of Luohu that flows like a living Chinese landscape painting.

When Manfred Yuen, founder of Groundwork Architects & Associates, first greeted the client behind this former salesroom, he presented them with a Chinese painting he admired - for inspiration. “They loved the idea right away,” recalled Yuen, a Cambridge-trained architect famed for his creation of public spaces and an avid traditional Chinese paintings lover. “They wanted to incorporate the concept of the painting into the building.”

Located in Sungang, a somewhat dilapidated, rough district in Luohu, Shenzhen, the project, a city lounge dubbed “The Veil”, is a glass-encased sculptural marvel that presents an avant-garde contrast to the neighbourhood that surrounds it.

“This is designed to stun,” noted the architect, who envisioned the space as a hotel-like “living room” for the neighbourhood where city dwellers can gather for coffee, to read, or to view art.

Composed of three levels, the lounge houses a coffee shop, and a library, as well as exhibition, and office spaces, all connected by larger-than-life walls and canopies in wavy, curvaceous forms reminiscent of the soft lines and silhouettes found in traditional Chinese landscape paintings.

In those works of art, mountains, rivers, and everything in between are depicted to evoke emotions rather than to portray specific places. Drawing on this artistic tradition, the design of the lounge is meant to entice your senses, a mood best reflected in its theatrical atrium.

The atrium is enveloped by towering, sculptural walls that undulate like fabric, crowned by a high glass ceiling that bathes the space in abundant sunlight. Geometric roof windows and strategically positioned trellises allow natural light to cast intriguing shadows across the rippling surfaces, giving a hint to what to expect upstairs.

“Creating this atrium was no small feat, from an architectural standpoint,” Yuen continued. “The sheer weight of the structure and the intricate curved details presented quite a challenge, but we managed it and successfully integrated it into the building.”

The upstairs space is defined by cosiness and versatility, where a library enclosed with floor-to-ceiling windows, plush seating and even free working spaces are scattered throughout to serve varying needs while adding a flair of hospitality.

“Our main goal was to create a super chill and laid-back atmosphere,’” said the architect.

They say peace only comes when you're able to calm your soul. Here, the interplay of light and shadows, along with the curvy lines and soft corners, all converge to foster a tranquil, contemplative “living lounge” in the heart of a bustling city so that “anyone can just walk in and have a great time exploring,” Yuen concluded.