Excerpt: CIFI. Phenomenon Sales Center, an interior design project by WJ Studio, redefines commercial space as an innovative vessel of cultural legacy and a dynamic stage for future living. Water acts as a spatial thread, weaving reflection, light, and movement into a ceremonial journey. Inspired by Han Dynasty architecture, the design layers tradition with modernity, transforming heritage into tactile aesthetics and creating a poetic link between past and future.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] Xi’an is a city where millennia of heritage converge with urban vitality. In the CIFI. Phenomenon Sales Center at Qinhan New District, WJ Studio redefines commercial space as an innovative vessel of Xi’an’s cultural legacy and a dynamic stage for future living.
1. Water as Spatial Thread: Water weaves through the space as a core motif, bridging natural and cultural dialogues. Full-height glass at the entrance dissolves boundaries, revealing a reflective pool that mirrors the sky. A gilded pathway floats above the water, guiding visitors through a ceremonial sequence.
Above, washi paper light panels emit a soft lantern-like glow, contrasting with the textured Shanxi Black stone reception desk. Here, water’s subtle ripples, light’s warmth, and stone’s raw simplicity find harmonious balance.
2. Architecture as Heritage Catalyst: A timber pavilion inspired by Han Dynasty architecture anchors the space. Beneath its cantilevered canopy, a tea area invites contemplation. Gold-lacquered walls and matte stone surfaces echo ancient city walls, reimagining historical gatherings under pavilion eaves.
The sunken negotiation area doubles as a cultural showcase. Display cabinets hold artifacts: tiger tally tokens, bronze dragon artifacts, terracotta horse figures—each a tangible fragment of Xi’an’s identity. Adjacent walls feature ink-wash paintings where calligraphic strokes evoke architectural forms.
More than a sales center, this space layers tradition with modernity. Rammed-earth textures interact with floating lights; historical artifacts coexist with contemporary furniture. Through this material dialogue, the architecture transforms earthy solidity into tactile aesthetics, becoming a poetic link between Xi’an’s past and future.
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