GE space design draws from eastern tradition with chengdu dwelling

A New Approach to Residential design in Chengdu

GE Space Design curates a residential project in Chengdu which prioritizes leisure, entertainment, and weekend gatherings, setting aside traditional living functions. The design takes advantage of the site’s unique conditions — a narrow, tall vertical cavity — to create a structure that feels organic and alive, as if it has grown naturally from its surroundings. The result is a space that transcends typical architectural norms, offering a rich and layered experience that encourages interaction and exploration.

Upon entering the Chengdu residence, dubbed Feng Le Tang, visitors are greeted by a courtyard-style atrium that immediately establishes the space’s serene atmosphere. A tree, an orchid, ferns, and carefully arranged stones create a natural focal point, while sunlight streams in through a west-facing glass curtain wall. The atrium leads to a two-story bookshelf wall and a staircase, blending functionality with aesthetic appeal. The owner named the space Feng Le Tang, and a calligrapher was commissioned to inscribe the name on a scroll, which hangs prominently on an interior wall. The team notes that this thoughtful detail adds a cultural touch to the modern design.

images © ICYWORKS

a space for Connection and Comfort by GE Space Design

With its Feng Le Tang residence in Chengdu, the architects at GE Space Design create a home that is at once lofty, warm, and inviting. The first floor features a half-height atrium that doubles as a courtyard and tea room, alongside a kitchen and dining area. The second floor includes a media space and a corridor, while the third floor houses two diagonally offset bedrooms. The design emphasizes leisure and entertainment, simulating an outdoor natural ambiance indoors through elements like plants, skylights, and sunlight. This blend of private and open spaces creates an environment that is both functional and emotionally resonant.

The project transforms a simple rectangular concrete box into a dynamic and versatile space. The original structure, approximately ten meters (33 feet) high and sixty square meters (646 square feet) in area, presented challenges such as excessive western sunlight. The design team addressed this by introducing a circular opening, which both mitigates sunlight issues and softens the rigid presence of the original beams and columns. This circular motif becomes a defining feature, guiding the spatial layout and creating a sense of flow and continuity throughout the building.

GE Space Design redefines residential architecture in Chengdu with a focus on leisure and entertainment

A Circular Opening as the Focal Point

The circular opening is central to GE Space Design’s dwelling in Chengdu, serving as both a functional and symbolic element. It controls light and sightlines while defining the spatial interface. Beneath the opening, a long tea table extends horizontally, blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces. This creates two distinct areas within the tea room: one with tatami mats and the other with seating, catering to different needs. The circular opening also enhances the verticality of the space, allowing sunlight to filter through and cast dramatic shadows, further enriching the outdoor-like experience.

To enhance the vertical penetration of space, GE Space Design incorporated high color temperature ceiling lights in the atrium, simulating natural skylight. This, combined with the west-facing glass curtain wall, resulting in an interplay of light and shadow. The atrium serves as a passage for light, air, and visual extension, connecting the three levels of the building. A white lightweight steel staircase, paired with a two-story bookshelf, adds a sense of lightness and contrast to the heavy concrete walls, while also symbolizing a ‘ladder of knowledge.’

the project features a vertical courtyard atrium, blending natural elements like plants and sunlight