Gold Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2026
Hefei Since 1872 Club
- A' Design Award 2026 Gold Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2026
- CLIENT: Matrix Design
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 41,131
- Verification code 075C9E386A · Verify this award
About Hefei Since 1872 Club
Hefei Since 1872 is a clubhouse interior covering 1000 square meters in Anhui, China. The design draws on local heritage and uses a petal motif as a shared theme across the space. Floors are laid with petal shaped stone mosaics, and surfaces are clad in wave textured travertine. Parametric domes are cast in glass fibre reinforced gypsum, and metal details are hammered by hand. Certified timber, travertine and bronze were selected for durability and texture. Reception, lounge and quiet reading zones guide visitors through calm and connected atmospheres.
Matrix Design's Hefei Since 1872 Club emerges as a distinguished contribution to contemporary hospitality interior design, demonstrating how thoughtful material selection and spatial choreography can create environments of profound sensory engagement. The installation appears to draw upon traditions of refined Eastern aesthetics while incorporating Western conventions of luxury hospitality, achieving a synthesis that feels both culturally rooted and internationally sophisticated. The technical accomplishment of the curved travertine bar counter merits particular attention, its monolithic presence achieved through careful consideration of proportion, with the tapered vessel form suggesting both containment and welcome. The pendant light installation above functions as kinetic sculpture, the varied suspension heights creating visual movement within static form, while the choice of translucent shades produces a quality of illumination that feels both intimate and celebratory. The integration of natural views through generous glazing demonstrates sensitivity to biophilic design principles, allowing the garden presence to participate in the interior experience without overwhelming the architectural intention. Material relationships throughout reveal considered curation, from the tactile warmth of ribbed wall surfaces to the reflective luminosity of polished stone flooring, each surface contributing to a cohesive sensory environment. The chromatic restraint, operating within a carefully calibrated range of warm neutrals, allows subtle tonal variations to achieve visual richness without chromatic competition. One might observe how the elliptical ceiling element creates a sense of centered orientation, gathering attention toward the central gathering point while maintaining spatial openness. What invitations does this environment extend to those who enter, and how might the interplay of natural light and crafted illumination shift the experiential qualities throughout the passing hours?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This project redefines urban living by integrating cultural symbolism, sustainable materials, and high craftsmanship across public and private spaces. Unique features include petal inspired stone mosaics, parametric domes, artisanal metalwork, and wave textured travertine surfaces. Each detail merges visual harmony, functional elegance, and long term durability, creating an immersive aesthetic and experiential journey.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The project covers a total design area of 1000 square meters. Panel joints across the project were controlled under 1.5 mm tolerance to ensure precision and visual consistency.
- Tags
- Urban Sanctuary, Travertine Texture, Parametric Ceiling, Bronze Emblem, Mosaic Stone Flooring, Petal Motif, Artisanal Metalwork, Sustainable Material, Immersive Atmosphere, Seal Series
- Production Technology
- Advanced digital fabrication methods like CNC templating and laser-calibrated installation were combined with artisanal techniques such as hand-hammered metalwork, seamless GFRG dome casting, and mosaic stone patterning. FSC certified timber, travertine, bronze, and polymer materials were selected for their sustainability, texture, and structural integrity.
- Design Challenge
- A major challenge was achieving harmony between traditional symbols and modern form without becoming decorative or abstract. Balancing handcrafted elements with digital production, navigating material logistics, and complying with safety and sustainability standards all required rigorous design iteration and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
- Project Duration
- The project started in May 2024 in Anhui, China and finished in July 2024.
- Operation Flow
- The spatial flow guides users through curated atmospheres, from elegant reception to quiet reading zones. Petal-patterned floors and reflective surfaces orient movement while interactive lighting and material textures encourage tactile and visual engagement. Users naturally navigate and dwell in areas based on mood, light, and layout.
- Research
- This was a cultural and spatial research project exploring the integration of urban heritage into residential and public design. Objectives included enhancing emotional identity and spatial usability. Methods involved site analysis, user feedback, and parametric modeling. Insights showed that symbolic continuity across details increased user satisfaction and cultural engagement.
- Inspiration
- Inspired by the cultural richness of Hefei and the legacy of the Huai Army, this project seeks to translate local heritage into contemporary design. The petal motif, rooted in the Seal Series branding, serves as a narrative thread across spatial elements. Emotional resonance, heritage symbolism, and refined modern lifestyles guided the entire design evolution.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Photographer Shixiang Wanhe, HEFEI SINCE 1872, 2024.
Image #2: Photographer Shixiang Wanhe, HEFEI SINCE 1872, 2024.
Image #3: Photographer Shixiang Wanhe, HEFEI SINCE 1872, 2024.
Image #4: Photographer Shixiang Wanhe, HEFEI SINCE 1872, 2024.
Image #5: Photographer Shixiang Wanhe, HEFEI SINCE 1872, 2024.