Lit Time by Fun Connection: A New Paradigm in Community Living

The Lit Time project stands on the Zishan Lake Peninsula, an hour’s drive from Wuhan. Originally part of the Sweet Box Hotel, it has been reimagined as a community hub, encapsulating the local dialect’s essence of “Daye,” which translates to taking a break. The design ethos revolves around creating an escape from routine life, fostering a space for relaxation and community engagement.

Embracing multifunctionality, Lit Time encompasses dining, wine tasting, coffee enjoyment, exhibitions, receptions, and a community center. It plays a pivotal role in the lakeside living experience, interacting organically with nearby cultural and tourism resources. The space has been crafted to support a variety of lifestyle services, thereby enriching the community’s social fabric.

A key focus was on the spatial layout to accommodate diverse business formats while ensuring flexible future use. The redesign involved reconfiguring the entrance and internal circulation, creating a sense of ritual and privacy. The layout strategically positions the reception and operational bars to maximize spatial integration and facilitate interactions between different zones, employing variations in ceiling heights, flooring materials, and textures.

The design forgoes traditional seating arrangements, opting instead for scattered wooden furniture and soft furnishings. This approach enhances the space’s structure and flexibility. Large windows and open façades invite natural light, amplifying the sense of space and transparency. The material palette, including raw stone and rugged wood grain, adds a rustic charm that resonates with the natural surroundings.

Beyond its physical design, Lit Time serves as a focal point for community interaction. It hosts theme activities like baking and crafting, providing a tranquil zone for residents to unwind and engage in focused learning. The design thus not only reimagines a physical space but also cultivates a communal environment for shared experiences.