wei yi international design associates has created a brilliantly white two-storey home for a young family in nanjing, china. the house, called ‘purified residence’, features abundant use of white carrara marble from italy and a thoroughly monochrome interior palette.

wei yi design creates a family home of monochrome + marble in nanjing, china
wall mounted antler and faux hide rugs add a rustic feel to the living area
all images by JMS

 

the residence’s restricted color spectrum was a decision by wei yi design intended to offer a blank canvas for the creation of memories. ‘people may have a special bond with part of the memories about the past life,’ explain the studio. ‘focusing on people’s feelings, continuing the past life experience as well as creating a new life experience for the client is the most interesting and important core for this project. in this project, white is the most important memory factor.’

wei yi design creates a family home of monochrome + marble in nanjing, china
the residence’s color spectrum was a decision by wei yi design to offer a blank canvas for the creation of memories

 

 

the functional spaces and aesthetic identity of the home is articulated through the use of a series of white boxes, a decision the studio hopes will rid the house of traditional and rigorous geometrical shapes and create a feeling of leisure. in the living space, a central ‘box’ volume divides the area into a living room, dining area, kitchen, lounge and reading room. the supportive ‘box’ acts as a central core, with graphic word art reflecting the conceptual values of the home. a white kitchen island, white cabinetry and pure white walls are accented with warmer ornamentations such as wall mounted antlers and faux hide rugs intended to create a warm but wintery feel. a large window wall allows light deep into the space, and corresponds with the courtyard outside. 

wei yi design creates a family home of monochrome + marble in nanjing, china
the functional spaces and aesthetic identity of the home is articulated through the use of a series of white boxes

 

 

on the second floor, a children’s play area is brightened up with hints of lime green as well as irregularly shaped cushions to inject a playful atmosphere into the houses restrained backdrop. on the third floor is the master bedroom, at the center of which another box-like volume houses the main bathroom, dividing the bedroom into sleeping and changing areas. a slight green tinge marks this room as apart from the other, and lends a more hospitable hue to the space. 

wei yi design creates a family home of monochrome + marble in nanjing, china
in the living space, a central volume divides the area into a living room, dining area, kitchen, lounge + reading room

 

 

shard-shaped white bannisters guard the stairwell back to down to the basement, and are overlooked by branch like chandeliers which connect each floor of the building. the basement is imagined as the main reception area of the house, and its entrance is marked by a characterfully vibrant owl figure — an spectrum of color marking the charming bird as the houses’ mascot. the tonality of the house transforms here into grey and black, smooth wooden furniture and brushed copper lamps overhead generate a warmer atmosphere, acting as an anchor of stability for the house overhead. 

wei yi design creates a family home of monochrome + marble in nanjing, china
the stairwell is overlooked by branch like chandeliers

 

 

the house is at its most dramatic from the outside where a shard shaped façade strikes a theatrical stance. the grey concrete envelope reflects the restraint of color evident throughout, but adds a bit of flair to the house whose sunlit courtyard is home to a single potted tree. 

wei yi design creates a family home of monochrome + marble in nanjing, china
lime green and irregularly shaped cushions add a playful vibe to the children’s play room

wei yi design creates a family home of monochrome + marble in nanjing, china
grey hues and comfy furnishings define the master bedroom

wei yi design creates a family home of monochrome + marble in nanjing, china
the master bathroom is bedecked with carrara marble 

wei yi design creates a family home of monochrome + marble in nanjing, china
a colorful owl guards the entrance to the basement, acting as a house mascot of sorts

wei yi design creates a family home of monochrome + marble in nanjing, china
warmer hues are evident in the lower levels 

wei yi design creates a family home of monochrome + marble in nanjing, china
a shard shaped envelope adds a dramatic flair to the monochrome home

 

project info:

 

design company: wei yi international design associates (www.lw-id.com)
project type: single family house/private house
interior area: 740㎡
outdoor courtyard: 400㎡
location: nanjing, china
completion time: 2016.11
photographer: JMS 

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: peter corboy | designboom