An Art Collector’s Home in the French Concession
Shanghai’s FG Studio reimagined a French Concession apartment for a globetrotting art collector, transforming it into a charming gallery space where materiality and custom touches complement the collection
Designing for a client with a strong visual sense can prove a challenge or a boon. The latter was the case for Shanghai-based FG Studio when an art collector approached them to reimagine her home in the French Concession.
‘She initially studied fashion design at Parsons, but she soon realised that her passion was art, so she transferred to New York University to study Art History. This marked the beginning of her art collecting journey,’ says FG Studio co-founder Frank Wang. She now travels the world, he adds, exploring architecture, design and art across different cultural backgrounds. ‘As a result, her collection is diverse, encompassing various cultures and mediums.’
The design concept, logically, was to transform the apartment into a condensed private gallery. And it’s not out of place for the locale: ‘The apartment is adjacent to the Moller Villa, making it one of the most culturally rich neighbourhoods in Shanghai,’ says Wang.
Form and spatial planning followed in order to reimagine the ‘narrow and fragmented’ space. ‘In terms of spatial design, she wanted a living room that was as large as possible and a walk-in closet with display features. Functionally, she wanted blank walls to show and rotate her artworks,’ Wang says.
These needs had to consider the apartment’s unique qualities. ‘The most special feature is that each window is different; there are ventilating windows that only provide a view of the sky, as well as other angled windows,’ says Wang. ‘There are even five windows of varying sizes on one wall.’
What resulted is a space replete with organic and whimsical touches, from rounded forms in the structure and furniture to unexpected materials and patterns. ‘We used consistent floor and ceiling profiles throughout all spaces,’ says Wang. ‘But each space is unique in its colour palette and material selection.’ The living room is earth-toned, with cream wall paint as the base, complemented by B&B Italia Camaleonda sofas in vintage textures and American artist Leslie Hewitt’s Untitled (delicate) on one side. ‘Its scenes and tones resonate interestingly with the surrounding space,’ says Wang.
In the study, walls and bookshelves are primarily constructed from walnut ‘to emphasise a sense of stability.’ Here, a blue painting by Jonny Negron combines with blue elements in the Anglepoise desk lamp and Vitra chair to add a ‘playful touch’.
For Wang, the eclectic approach comes together in an unlikely space. ‘My favourite part is the transition between the study and the guest bathroom,’ he says. ‘The guest bathroom is enclosed within a walnut bookshelf system. In less than three square meters, we used six different materials: the walnut wood flooring and doors extending from the study; the dark grey ceiling and a brass-finished light installation; Gucci floral wallpaper; and maroon marble paired with a mirror framed in black shell. These rich materials are mixed together to achieve ultimate harmony.’
Text by Philip Annetta
Images by AY Studio
