Silver Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2025
Zun Fu Sales Center
- A' Design Award 2025 Silver Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: Rong Jie Studio
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 23,650
- Verification code B168738FC6 · Verify this award
About Zun Fu Sales Center
The interior design draws on traditional Chinese spatial culture and poetic symbolism, presenting a contemporary interpretation of ceremonial architecture. Inspired by Luoyang's historical rituals, the space incorporates elements such as stone, bamboo, and peony motifs. A linear path organizes the visitor's journey through zones of arrival, negotiation, and reflection. Sculptural lighting and layered materials create a calm, immersive environment that blends cultural identity with modern aesthetics.
Zhijiang Shan's interior design for the Zun Fu Sales Center, recognized with a Silver A' Design Award in Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design, represents a distinguished achievement in contemporary commercial architecture that synthesizes traditional aesthetic sensibilities with innovative spatial thinking. The work demonstrates exceptional command of material relationships, orchestrating a dialogue between the organic warmth of rhythmically arranged wood slats and the cool mineral presence of extensively employed marble surfaces, while the crowning sculptural installation of undulating metallic ribbons introduces an element of poetic transcendence to the functional program. The circular aperture functioning as a contemporary interpretation of the traditional moon gate serves not merely as an architectural device but as a philosophical statement, framing a carefully composed vignette of sculptural elements that reference natural forms through golden pine needle motifs and the dynamic energy of equestrian bronze. Technical accomplishment is evident in the sophisticated lighting design, which layers ambient, accent, and decorative illumination to create zones of varying intensity and emotional temperature throughout the space. The central display plinth, elevated on its dark stone base like a ceremonial altar, transforms the commercial activity of viewing architectural models into an experience of contemplative engagement, inviting visitors to imagine future dwellings while surrounded by present beauty. The designer appears to have drawn upon deep wells of cultural heritage while speaking in a thoroughly contemporary visual language, suggesting that commercial spaces need not sacrifice artistic ambition for functional efficiency. One might observe how the tension between the strictly geometric architectural envelope and the freely flowing sculptural intervention mirrors broader conversations about constraint and expression in design practice. Visitors are invited to consider how the careful curation of material, light, and form might transform their own relationship to architectural space and the rituals of inhabitation.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The project features a layered spatial sequence composed of reception, negotiation, and contemplation zones. A central water feature anchors the lobby, while suspended sculptures animate the ceiling. Materials such as stone, bamboo, brushed brass, and dark wood define a rich palette. Lighting transitions guide users through the space, integrating symbolic forms with functional clarity. The result is a culturally rooted yet contemporary commercial environment.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Total area: approx. 600 sqm; lobby height: 6.5m. Main finishes include marble flooring, brass inlays, walnut veneer, rattan detailing, custom aluminum panels, and stone carvings. Lighting integrates 3000K LED strips, downlights, and a flowing crystal chandelier. Structure uses steel frames, in-situ concrete walls, and dry-hung stone and aluminum cladding.
- Tags
- Chinese interior design, immersive real estate space, spatial culture, ceremonial architecture, stone and wood finishes, Luoyang architecture, modular commercial design
- Production Technology
- The project applies CNC engraving, modular dry-hang systems, and hybrid material detailing. It features natural stone, brushed metal, rattan, wood veneer, leather, and bamboo, enhanced with concealed LED systems. The approach fuses modern fabrication with traditional textures to produce a polished, expressive space.
- Design Challenge
- The challenge was how to translate traditional Chinese culture into modern construction and design, aligning with contemporary aesthetics and lifestyles. The 600 sqm site required precise balancing of narrative expression, functional layout, and construction feasibility.
- Project Duration
- The project is located in Luoyang, China. Design began in January 2018, construction was completed by November 2018, and it officially opened in December 2018 as the main sales and exhibition center for the Zun Fu residential development.
- Operation Flow
- The space is planned with ritualistic rhythm. Visitors enter via a pine pathway, welcomed by a ceremonial gateway and lighting. The layout transitions through brand storytelling, negotiation, and contract signing areas. Spatial modulation, light orchestration, and sensory transitions reinforce the layered experience.
- Research
- The project researched cultural symbols, traditional Chinese spatial rhythm, and user behavior in immersive commercial interiors. It involved ceremonial flow studies, user interviews, spatial modeling, and material integration strategies to guide narrative and atmosphere.
- Inspiration
- The project draws inspiration from traditional Chinese notions of ritual, symbolism, and spatial procession. Referencing Luoyang's historical architecture and poetic traditions, the design reimagines ceremonial experiences through a modern lens. Sculptural lighting, refined materials, and a layered narrative reflect a cultural continuity that balances heritage with contemporary function.
- Image Credits
- Photographer: Xushan Geng
Colors of Zun Fu Sales Center
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Design Interview about Zun Fu Sales Center
The design draws from the poetic structure of traditional Chinese gardens, embracing the philosophy of "emptiness and fullness" and "movement and stillness." It reflects a deliberate spatial order rooted in balance and rhythm. Natural elements such as bamboo, stone, water, and blossoms are abstracted and reinterpreted through modern architectural techniques, allowing cultural symbolism to be expressed in a contemporary visual language. This fusion gives the space both temporal depth and spiritual texture.
My core intention was to reinterpret traditional Chinese spatial aesthetics through a contemporary lens—making them emotionally resonant, artistically restrained, and experientially rich. I sought to create an environment that feels serene yet expressive; a space that speaks softly but lingers powerfully in memory. It's about honoring cultural roots without falling into nostalgia.
I see this project as a prototype for future hospitality and cultural real estate endeavors. The design language developed here—ritualistic yet fluid, grounded yet adaptable—will be translated into a modular design system suitable for boutique hotels, sales centers, and cultural venues. The goal is to build a flexible yet consistent spatial narrative that can evolve across sites.
From initial research to final execution, the design process spanned around eight months. This included site analysis, cultural inquiry, conceptual development, material detailing, and on-site coordination. It was an iterative journey of testing, refining, and negotiating between vision and feasibility.
While this was a commissioned project, I viewed it as a cultural exploration. The client gave us remarkable creative freedom, which allowed me to use this opportunity to probe deeper into the aesthetics of ceremonial space and contemporary hospitality. The project became a space for dialogue between legacy and innovation.
The design was realized for a leading real estate developer and has since been fully implemented. It now functions as a premium sales gallery and brand experience center—hosting clients, communicating ethos, and setting the tone for a high-end residential development.
As a designer deeply rooted in interior architecture, I have long been interested in rethinking the so-called "new Chinese style." Rather than following formulaic trends, I wanted to present a more nuanced, emotionally intelligent interpretation of East Asian spatiality—something refined, symbolic, and culturally resonant.
Tadao Ando’s pursuit of spatial purity and Liang Sicheng’s academic approach to architectural history both influenced my thinking. Their commitment to narrative space and material authenticity mirrors my own belief in architecture as both an art and a vessel of meaning.
This design targets high-end property buyers, design-conscious cultural visitors, and investors who value heritage, subtlety, and experiential design. It's crafted for those who seek spaces that elevate emotion as much as function.
Its strength lies in its restraint. Unlike more ornate approaches, this design evokes emotion through spatial rhythm, quiet detail, and symbolic gesture. It neither imposes nor imitates; instead, it invites the user to slow down, reflect, and immerse themselves in a sense of ritual.
The name “Zun Fu” (尊府) can be translated as "House of Esteem." It invokes a spatial atmosphere of reverence and ceremonial grace, echoing the Confucian ideals of harmony and hierarchy. The name embodies the spirit of formality without rigidity, and tradition without nostalgia.
We used Rhino and AutoCAD for modeling and layout refinement, Lumion for immersive visualization, and Adobe Creative Suite—especially InDesign and Photoshop—for storytelling and presentation design. Analog sketches and mock-ups also played a vital role in early conceptual stages.
The most defining element is the floating ribbon-like chandelier in the main hall. Inspired by the “cloud and dragon” motif in traditional Chinese iconography, this sculptural installation serves both a spatial and symbolic function—anchoring circulation, softening scale, and bringing a sense of mythic motion into the architectural core.
Yes. The project involved collaboration with lighting engineers, stone artisans, and a furniture design workshop. Their technical precision and material expertise were essential in translating abstract design concepts into tactile, high-quality realities. Craftsmanship was a cornerstone of this project’s execution.
Technology enabled us to prototype complex forms—especially the ceiling installation—through parametric modeling and 3D printing. It also informed aspects of sustainable design, such as airflow optimization and acoustic calibration. Technology here is not a spectacle, but an enabler of precision and comfort.
What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
We conducted behavioral research on how users navigate ceremonial space—identifying pause points, rhythm shifts, and emotional thresholds. We also referenced classical texts like the “Book of Rites” to align spatial proportions with traditional notions of order and hierarchy. The result is a synthesis of data, intuition, and heritage.
We conducted behavioral research on how users navigate ceremonial space—identifying pause points, rhythm shifts, and emotional thresholds. We also referenced classical texts like the “Book of Rites” to align spatial proportions with traditional notions of order and hierarchy. The result is a synthesis of data, intuition, and heritage.
One major challenge was calibrating traditional decorative language with contemporary restraint. We wanted cultural references to feel embedded, not imposed. Another challenge was the large-scale lobby volume, which required nuanced lighting design due to highly reflective materials and vertical expansiveness.
I wanted to explore how traditional Chinese spatial thinking could be received and understood in a global design discourse. A’ Design Award, with its interdisciplinary and international reach, offered a platform to test how cultural specificity could translate across borders.
This project deepened my awareness of how materiality, scale, and light shape emotional experience. It also refined my ability to negotiate between symbolism and pragmatism—to ensure that even poetic gestures remain grounded in real spatial logic and usability.
Yes. This project reinforced a core belief of mine—that tradition is not a limitation, but a living source of innovation. Our goal as designers is not to replicate the past, but to allow it to evolve meaningfully within the present moment. When done with sincerity, tradition becomes contemporary by nature.