Wabi-Sabi is at the Heart of this Beijing Apartment
Realised by Tianjin-based studio Touch Design, this apartment reflects the characteristics of wabi-sabi through its restrained materials and colour palette. Here design director Ma Xin shares more about project
Design Anthology : How did you first meet the client?
Ma Xin: I’ve known the client for many years — we designed several of his commercial spaces in Beijing, including restaurants and clothing stores.
Can you tell us about them and their lifestyle?
The client has high standards when it comes to quality and is open to innovation. He’s also very good at curating fashion and art pieces. His previous home was too small to accommodate his dog, so he decided to move into a new place, which, at 230 square metres, is much bigger.
How did you approach the project — what design references did you try to incorporate into the space?
We designed the space following the aesthetics of wabi-sabi and with an inward focus, creating an atmosphere that evokes rejuvenation, harmony and a sense of belonging. To achieve that, we focused on the idea of respecting time and nature while revealing the essence of each element.
Please tell us a little about the material choices for the space.
The main material used throughout the apartment is micro-cement; there isn’t a single tile or stone in the house. This includes the kitchen countertop, the bathroom top, and all the walls and floors in the bathroom area.
Which of the pieces did you custom design?
There are many customised pieces in the space, including the two circular Changhong glass windows we specially designed for the Buddhist shrine and the TV cabinet in the living room.
Do you have a favourite element or design detail in the interiors?
Both the owner and I love these circular windows. We paired them with a simple solid wood bench and a few green plants, which makes the space look quite poetic. The windows also allow natural light to reflect into the cloakroom.
We also love the background wall in the master bedroom. It’s made of an artificial material that imitates the texture of stone, which we painted with a latex paint from the French brand Ressource. The final result is quite tranquil and in the style of wabi-sabi.
Images / Shengsu Architectural Photography
