2026 | Professional

MUSE Design Awards Gold Winner

SENSE VILLA

Entrant

YU STUDIO/ Yu Zhao

Category

Interior Design - Residential 

Client's Name

China Resources Land

Country / Region

China

About The Entry

Nestled in the heart of Ningbo’s Yinzhou District, this residence project redefines contemporary luxury through the philosophy: “Realm Born of the Mind.” Eschewing ostentation, it seamlessly merges the restrained elegance of Song Dynasty aesthetics with the open spirit of a maritime city. The result is a “habitable cultural vessel” where urban heritage, familial legacy, and modern life resonate in harmony.

The narrative unfolds through a unique “vertical dialogue across time.” The ground floor draws from Emperor Huizong’s “Auspicious Cranes,” evoking Eastern blessings and laying the cultural bedrock. The lower level reflects Zao Wou-Ki’s abstract dynamism, embodying Ningbo’s prosperity and family identity. On the third floor, Xu Lei’s ink-wash art adorns the private realm, symbolizing a poetic fusion of tradition and modernity. Together, these three artistic anchors create a timeless dialogue that honors lineage while championing creative continuity.

Every detail responds to family rhythms. Jade elements at the entrance evoke a ritual of return. The girls’ room blooms in coral tones with soft fabrics balancing delicacy and personality, while the boys’ room uses “Thousand Mountain Emerald” hues and marine motifs, merging nature’s serenity with an adventurous spirit. A shared space cultivates refinement through music and art, strengthening family bonds in an atmosphere of elegance. The master suite achieves Eastern minimalism, where wood, silk, and gauze engage the senses. On the lower level, a “Family Letter” wall anchors daily social scenarios in a narrative of clan connection. Even the mezzanine servants’ quarters reflect deep respect for every inhabitant’s daily experience.

Materiality is chosen with restraint. Natural stone, timber, and silk convey timeless tactility. Laminated glass paired with metallic finishes forms a harmonious union—subtle yet contemporary. This approach elegantly resolves the tension between aesthetic ambition and practical reality.

Confronting the interplay of the past and the present, the project advances “humanistic sustainability.” Beyond low-emission materials, heritage is woven into daily rituals. More than a residence, this is a tribute to Song elegance and a reinvention of Ningbo’s urban soul. Luxurious yet understated, simple yet profound, it defines true luxury in an age of excess.

Credits

Chief Designer
Yu Zhao
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