Project: Shanghai Villa
Architecture: P&H Interior Architecture Design
Lead Desinger: Lu Zhenfeng
Location: Shanghai, China
Year: 2024
Photo Credits: Liang Jiajian
Inspired by Octavio Paz’s poem The Simple Life, Shanghai Villa, designed by P&H Interior Architecture Design, embodies the idea that “home is just home.” This philosophy guided the project, replacing grandeur with authenticity and creating a space that exudes friendliness and intimacy. Every design choice focuses on enriching the lives of the residents, crafting an environment that is serene yet profound.
A Thoughtful Approach to Space
The design begins at the entrance, where the garage hall transitions into a space that captures everyday moments. Gentle curves and lines expand the foyer, enhancing the sense of openness while maintaining functionality. Natural materials, like rammed earth textures and wood grain panels, continue from the villa’s exterior into the interior, seamlessly blending indoors and outdoors. Neutral tones and soft lighting create a welcoming atmosphere that feels both calm and personal.
Inside, the villa’s layout accommodates a variety of activities, from socializing and exercising to quiet reflection. The planning ensures that every family member can find a space suited to their needs. As P&H founder Lu Zhenfeng states, “Everyone can find their own space here.”
Maximizing Light and Perspective
The design prioritizes light and spatial flow, with walls and ceilings opened to their fullest extent. The once dim basement has been transformed into a mezzanine, where sunlight moves through the space, marking the rhythm of daily life. Columns delineate functional zones—reception, fitness, and tea tasting—while allowing for moments of visual and emotional discovery.
Each area avoids excess, relying on pure materials and soft transitions to evoke tranquility. The spaces between these elements provide opportunities for reflection and imagination, making the villa not only functional but also emotionally resonant.
Artistic Expression and Subtle Details
Throughout the villa, P&H integrates subtle artistic gestures into the design. The facade features overlapping geometric shapes, while Melt Pendant lights cast reflections that shift with the time of day, echoing the hues of carpets and natural materials. Plants soften the edges of corridors and rooms, blending the villa with its surrounding greenery.
The fireplace, a central feature, combines light and shadow with the dancing flames, adding a poetic quality to the space. The tea room, understated yet elegant, serves as a sanctuary for contemplation, seamlessly merging life and art.
Playful and Functional Design
The villa’s staircase serves as both a structural and aesthetic centerpiece, offering surprising perspectives from every angle. Above, an indoor glass walkway connects to the skylight, creating a space for parent-child interaction that combines openness and intimacy.
The children’s bedroom transforms into a dreamlike escape, with adaptable Colletto beds and whimsical ceramic pendant lights. This playful environment merges fantasy with function, inspiring creativity and comfort.
Harmonizing Indoors and Outdoors
Public areas on the upper levels blur the boundary between interior and exterior, offering expansive views and minimalist forms inspired by Italian architecture. Furniture selections, such as Cognac-colored Cab Chairs and sculptural Zagu Tables, highlight craftsmanship while harmonizing with the villa’s natural palette.
Light filters gently through curtains, shifting the mood throughout the day. Plants and curated artwork enhance the sense of calm, creating a meditative environment that reflects the villa’s poetic inspiration.
A Home Rooted in Simplicity
Shanghai Villa exemplifies how thoughtful design can turn a house into a personal sanctuary. By embracing simplicity and authenticity, P&H Interior Architecture Design has crafted a space that balances practicality with artistic expression. This villa doesn’t just house its residents—it enhances their lives, offering moments of connection, reflection, and quiet joy.
