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White on  white







Adjacent to the Old City of Shanghai, the apartment offers expansive views of the historic City God Temple and the modern Lujiazui skyline through the windows of the living room and study.  After removing all non-load-bearing walls in the original three-bedroom apartment, the redesigned open-plan space approximates a regular rectangle. Along its depth, the area is divided into five square zones of equal length but varying widths: a kitchen-entryway, living-dining area, study-storage zone, two bathrooms, and a master suite. The layout echoes the traditional Chinese architectural concept of "five-bay" spatial organization.  





With minimal new partition walls (limited to the bathrooms), the separation between zones is achieved through sliding doors, cabinetry, structural shafts, tatami platforms, bookshelves, and countertops. These elements subtly define boundaries while maintaining visual continuity.  



Inspired by Kazimir Malevich’s Suprematist Composition: White on White (1918), the design employs two materials—pure white latex paint and warm-toned beige plaster—to distinguish spatial functions. Vertically, pure white dominates the open living areas (east-facing second and fifth bays), while beige plaster coats the compact private service areas (first, third, and fourth bays). The interplay of cool-to-warm tones and material textures creates a nuanced transition between public and intimate zones.  


The beige plaster extends from walls to envelop kitchen counters, bookshelves, tatami bases, storage units, sinks, and bathtubs—all crafted as abstract geometric forms. This continuity blurs the line between architectural structure and furniture, emphasizing simplicity and sculptural unity.  

Horizontal planes feature two ceiling heights, interrupted by full-height volumes or beams. Pure white and beige surfaces intersect, enhancing spatial depth through tonal contrast. On the ground, travertine stone and oak flooring demarcate wet (east-facing first and fourth bays) and dry zones (second, third, and fifth bays). Flooring patterns guide circulation, with herringbone joints at corners subtly directing movement.  


The fully open plan allows for continuous circulation paths. Four frameless, floor-to-ceiling oak sliding doors act as discreet partitions, offering privacy when needed without disrupting the spatial flow.  

The project explores the sensory interaction between inhabitants and space. By prioritizing spatial atmosphere and structural integrity over stylistic trends, the design achieves a harmonious fusion of functionality, minimalist aesthetics, and sculptural form.  

项目地点：中国  上海市 

项目类型：住宅

建筑面积：116平方米

室内（建筑）设计：奥室建筑

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