Located in Shanghai’s Jing’an District, the DOK Design Aesthetic Experience Center seamlessly blends historical reverence and contemporary design. This newly transformed space, originally a textile factory, now embodies the essence of time, emotion, light, and shadow, creating a rich and immersive experience for its visitors.
DOK Design Center Technical Information
- Architects1-4: DOK Design
- Location: Jing’an District, Shanghai, China
- Topics: Wabi Sabi
- Area: 320 m2
- Project Year: 2023 – 2024
- Photographs: © Lin Cong
As a physical medium, it is possible for our surrounding environment to organically establish a kind of spiritual connection with metaphysical consciousness through various forms, such as spatial constructions, the rendering of specific atmospheres, and the reshaping of tactile surroundings.
– DOK Design Architects
DOK Design Center Photographs
Freehand Brushwork: Endless Improvisation
The design journey begins at the eastern entrance, where the path of circulation mirrors the winding layout of traditional oriental gardens. This thoughtful approach ensures that visitors are invited to explore the space organically. A solid wall at the entrance obscures direct views, creating an element of surprise and discovery.
Inside, the new interior facade combines horizontal and vertical elements with gaps that suggest spatial flow. The sculptural carved granite at the base of the wall echoes the craftsmanship of Chinese brushwork while referencing natural landscapes. The home display area further enhances this theme with furnishings and décor that harmonize with the room’s proportions, creating an elegantly comfortable atmosphere. A sloped ceiling, retaining the original skylight, bathes the space in natural light, maintaining a connection to the exterior.
Art: A New Way of Life
Adjacent to the entrance, dark timber ceiling panels create a transition zone, evoking the site’s historical texture. A freestanding white marble bar introduces Western lifestyle elements, blending seamlessly with the surrounding materials. The timber cabinet beneath the bar, with its butterfly door design, adds a touch of traditional charm.
The value of art in this space lies in making the unseen aspects of life visible. Every object, from tables to vases, is chosen for its origin, character, and material texture, ensuring they withstand the test of time. This thoughtful selection reflects a lifetime of aesthetic experience, offering visitors an enriched and active engagement with their surroundings.
To See: Audible Silence
Ascending the steps near the entrance, visitors enter the lounge and tea-tasting area, designed as two forms of reception. This area, adorned with eclectic table utensils, vintage lamps, folding screens, handmade rugs, and ceramics, exudes a calm and welcoming atmosphere. The warm light and varied objects invite guests to relax and leave behind the city’s stress. The tea-tasting area, adjacent to an external terrace, offers views that extend the room’s spatial scale, creating a dynamic visual experience.
The concept of the East is represented not just as a geographical area but as an aesthetic and cultural sensibility. The meditative act of tea-tasting integrates daily life with these deep-rooted cultural values.
Cloud’s Shadow: Bright and Sombre
At the rear of the space, a change in color palette and a dramatically arched ceiling evoke a sense of sacredness. The original building’s skylight allows natural light to filter in gently, with the shadows of clouds playing across the walls and floor. This area is architecturally divided into distinct light and dark sections, creating a striking visual contrast.
Transforming complex concepts into clear objects requires an organic process that balances the virtual and real, imagination and visual image. The DOK Design Aesthetic Experience Center achieves this balance, offering a space where the subtle sound of a profound inner world can be heard beneath the surface of audible silence.
DOK Design Center Plans
DOK Design Center Image Gallery
About DOK Design
DOK Design is dedicated to cultivating sophisticated and elegant design methodologies. Their focus lies in the exploration of oriental aesthetics, seamlessly blending wabi-sabi, medieval craftsmanship, American and French modernism, Bauhaus, and other philosophies. They transform pragmatic elements into beauty, integrating practical considerations with artistic pursuits. Upholding a rigorous design attitude and continuous aesthetic advancement, DOK offers professional design services encompassing architecture, interiors, soft furnishings, woodwork, and household objects. They create meticulously crafted, ideally customized spaces tailored to each client’s unique needs.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Chief Designer: Deng Peiguo
- Design Team: Yang He
- Woodwork Unit: OKK Woodwork
- Contractor: DOK Design
