- 2025 Pioneer Prize
- From top 100 characters
Taiyue Li
Project Description
Project Name:Taiyue Li
Project Location:Jinghai, Tianjin, China
Project owner:Freelance
Design Team:Lead Designer - Tian Zhanting
Design Theme:Song Dynasty Elegance, Modern Interpretation: An Autumnal Ambiance*
Rooted in the Song Dynasty scholars' pursuit of simplicity, elegance, and naturalism, this space reinterprets Eastern serenity through contemporary design language. Rejecting symbolic clutter, it embraces clean minimalism, refined lines, warm natural materials, and carefully curated warm tones to create a fluid, welcoming, and culturally rich modern residence.
I. Design Philosophy
-High quality ≠ Ostentatious extravagance
- Uniqueness ≠ Deliberate eccentricity
- Harmony ≠ Rigid symmetry
Inspired by the Song Dynasty’s minimalist, elegant, and natural aesthetic, the design eschews ornate embellishments. It seeks beauty in spatial emptiness and the purity of lines while boldly integrating the modern Maillard Color Palette. Adjusted via the Munsell Color System to ensure brown tones fall within a 10–20% reflectance range, the palette achieves "luxurious yet glare-free" visual comfort. The result is a "poetic sanctuary that breathes" amid urban chaos.
II. Design Elements
1. Spatial Ambiance: Clean Minimalism, Fluid Essence
Embracing Song-era simplicity, the layout is semi-open, enhancing transparency and flow. Furniture and structural lines draw inspiration from Song-style pieces—clean, upright, and unadorned—blending straight lines with subtle curves to highlight structural integrity. Walls and floors feature large expanses of low-saturation Maillard hues, creating visual breathing room and a serene, soothing base that echoes the ethereal spirit of Song Dynasty paintings.
2. Color System: Maillard Warmth, Song Essence Elevated
The Maillard palette anchors the design. Deep caramel brown and chestnut brown ground key furniture, walls, and floors, establishing warmth and richness. Oatmeal beige and creamy white—applied broadly to walls, ceilings, floors, and soft furnishings—create a bright, soft, and inclusive backdrop, balancing depth with Song-inspired elegance. Accents of maple red and deep autumn orange add vibrancy and layers, their warmth resonating with the Song aesthetic’s pursuit of "gentle refinement."
This interplay mirrors the subtle glaze variations of Song monochrome ceramics: restrained yet richly layered, evoking an autumnal atmosphere of warmth, inclusivity, and depth.
3. Materiality & Texture: Natural Warmth, Tactile Serenity
Abundant warm wood showcases natural grain and matte finishes, avoiding excessive gloss. Furniture designs are streamlined, highlighting the craftsmanship of mortise-and-tenon joints and fluid lines. Micro-cement and matte stone accents add raw texture, enhancing the space’s rustic charm and cultural resonance.
Rooted in the Song Dynasty philosophy of "following nature’s way," this design reinterprets classical elegance through a modern lens. It blends quiet simplicity with organic beauty, offering a lifestyle that transcends materialism and embraces spiritual fulfillment—resonating deeply with the Japanese ethos of “wabi-sabi”.
Tian Zhanting is a seasoned professional in the field of design, with 15 years of experience. He graduated from Hebei University, becoming one of the industry's leading figures. As a Senior Interior Designer affiliated with the International Association of Architectural Decoration, Tian Zhanting has gained widespread recognition for his creativity and talent in the design industry.
His outstanding achievements have been acknowledged in numerous prestigious design exhibitions. At the 10th China International Building Decoration and Design Art Expo, he was awarded the Top 10 Most Original Designer (Residential Space category) for the years 2015-2016. Subsequently, at the 11th China International Building Decoration and Design Art Expo, he was nominated for the Top 10 Influential Designer Award (Residential Space category) for the years 2016-2017. He also received the prestigious China Architectural Decoration Industry's Most Original Designer Award (Luxury Villa category) for the years 2017-2018 at the 13th International Building Decoration and Design Art Expo. Furthermore, he was honored with the title of Asia-Pacific Designer of the Year in 2019, further solidifying his distinguished position in the industry. Tian Zhanting's exceptional talent and dedication have earned him numerous honors and awards throughout his career. He was recognized as one of the Top 10 Influential Designers at the China International Building Decoration and Design Art Expo from 2016 to 2018. In 2019, he received the prestigious Asia-Pacific Designer of the Year award. His influence and impact were further acknowledged when he won the Most Influential Designer Award at the 2020 Hong Kong Asia-Pacific Designer Competition. In 2023, he achieved the Silver Award at the IDPA AWARD International Pioneer Design Competition.
Tian Zhanting's commitment to continuous learning and professional development is evident through his pursuit of advanced studies and participation in architectural exchange programs. His experiences at the University of Tokyo, Kume Design, and the Ando Tadao Office have enriched his understanding of architecture and inspired his creative approach.
Tian Zhanting possesses a unique design style, showcasing exceptional creativity and craftsmanship in his works. He excels in various styles including French classical, Southeast Asian, new Chinese style, classical Chinese style, modern minimalist, and Nordic style. His portfolio includes remarkable projects such as Haiyi Wangshu, Fuli Jinmenhu, Fortune Mansion, Beijing Courtyard, Yuanyang Tianzhu Chunqiu, Wuzheng Zhengxin Rongyuan, Chengtou Yuehelou, Taian Road No.3 Courtyard, Fukang Road No.1, and Hongham Ling Shijun.
With his professionalism, unique design concepts, and attention to detail, Tian Zhanting has earned accolades from his clients. He is dedicated to creating personalized, exquisite, and comfortable spaces, bringing unique charm and value to each project. Whether in the commercial or residential field, Tian Zhanting provides clients with exceptional creativity and design expertise, making him a highly respected figure in the industry.
Tian Zhanting continues to lead the way in the design industry, driving innovation and shaping its future with his professional competence and visionary approach.
