oriZENtal

Project Name: oriZENtal

Design Concept: Yuan Rong



The ‘Inherent Oneness in Roundness’ is one of the most perfect doctrines in Buddhism. ‘Yuan Rong’ is the Chinese equivalent to this doctrine. ‘Yuan’ means round; circular and ‘Rong’ means melt; thaw. This equivalence between perfection and circle, or the quality of roundness, is peculiar and distinct to Buddhism philosophical ideologies. In short, ‘roundness’ symbolises ‘oneness’, ‘harmony’, ‘perfection’ and ‘unity’.



The interior design of ‘oriZENtal’ revolves three architectural philosophies - Oriental Zen Culture, Contemporary Minimalism and Subtle Luxury. The amalgamation and fusion of these concepts give birth to a distinctive Contemporary Zen Culture, which is emanated and apparent throughout the interior design of the house. Through the use of these materials, textures, finishings, layering techniques and both lightings of natural and artificial, the designer aims not only to generate, but also to accentuate the Contemporary Zen Culture, and in turn create a calm and undisturbed sanctuary amidst urban space.



The interesting component of the interior design is the incorporation of the ‘Round Doctrine’ and the consistent use of ‘roundness’ throughout the house. Unlike traditional Oriental Zen Culture, which designs are predominantly governed by hard and flat edges, the designer’s new interpretation of the culture introduces circles, adding a playful and peculiar, yet contemporary twist to the entire design of the house. For instance, a traditional circle shaped door (Moongate) is carved out of the marble slab/wall in the living room. Moongates represent the full moon rising and therefore is very inviting for people to walk through. The circular shape of the moongate also represents harmony and cohesion and these values are embedded in the architecture itself.



In conclusion, through the intricate integration of three distinguished architectural styles and the incorporation of ‘Yuan Rong’ found in Buddhism, an invigorating design concept and space is conceived. The design space perfectly encapsulates the essence of Contemporary Zen yet displays a strong distinctive and individual characteristic through the use of circles. This overall creates a unique and never-seen-before space, which exudes tranquility, class, character and luxury.