Project: Youshan Meidi Villa
Architecture: Zhang Ling Design Studio
Lead Designer: Zhang Ling
Design Team: Wang Chenyi
MEP Consultant: Kang Zheng
Location: Beijing, China
Area: 1200 m2
Year: 2024
Photo Credits: Hanmo Visual
Designer Zhang Ling’s latest project, the Youshan Meidi Villa in Beijing, offers its inhabitants a seamless connection to the surrounding landscape within an atmosphere of calm tranquility. Abundant sunlight and an elegant, minimalist aesthetic create a peaceful retreat from the bustling city life.
Harmonics of Light
At the heart of Youshan Meidi Villa is the central hall, which connects multiple levels and lets natural light flood the space through a large skylight and floor-to-ceiling windows. This setup creates a lively play of light and shadow, much like a musical composition. The central hall rises to six meters, extending into the lounge area. This design provides a spacious yet comfortable openness and offers direct views into the adjacent garden.
The villa features white walls and off-white stone flooring, creating a classic and understated environment. To add visual interest, brightly colored or uniquely shaped furnishings are strategically placed. For instance, a delicate chandelier resembling a floating grid hangs above, echoing contemporary art. Additionally, the custom steel fireplace appears as a simple opening in the lounge wall, blending seamlessly into the elegant atmosphere.
Artistic and Unique Features
Opposite the lounge, a grand piano stands against a grey stone-clad wall, evoking the sound of beautiful melodies in the peaceful air. When the double-height curtains are drawn open, the garden outside becomes visible, making the interior feel like it extends into the outdoors. Moreover, a black double-height open bookshelf serves as both a striking architectural feature and a place to store books and cultural items.
Embracing Nature
Outside, the trees grow vigorously, each adding a strong yet subtle presence to the landscape. During breakfast in the dining room, low shrubs keep the inhabitants company, blending with the taller trees in the background. Similarly, while reading a book in the living room, one can relax beside hydrangeas quietly blooming next to the wall. This seamless blend of indoor and outdoor elements creates a peaceful coexistence between nature and the home.
Opening Boundaries
Zhang Ling designed Youshan Meidi Villa with an open-plan layout, allowing free movement throughout the space. The entrance area and staircase act as both horizontal and vertical pathways, gently guiding movement. By opening up the walls and using transparent balustrades at the stair landings, residents feel a closer connection to the outdoor environment. This design connects the vitality of nature directly to the rooms that overlook it.
Furthermore, the dining and living areas use a minimalist palette, focusing on light, nature, and scale. These elements reflect the essential needs of human existence, creating spaces that feel both necessary and refined.
Peaceful Respite
The study in Youshan Meidi Villa provides a peaceful retreat away from everyday life. Large floor-to-ceiling windows offer views filled with trees, creating a dialogue between the calm interior and the lively natural world outside. As leaves rustle in the breeze and birds fly by, the space fills with a sense of calm and serene beauty. Here, one can engage in calligraphy or drawing, letting thoughts flow as freely as brushstrokes. As life slows down, each moment becomes richer and more meaningful.
Sensory Comfort and Detail
The bedroom in Youshan Meidi Villa is designed to meet the inhabitants’ sensory, emotional, and spiritual needs. Timber flooring offers a warm tactile experience, while large windows flood the room with natural light, creating a spacious and calm atmosphere. Understated yet sophisticated furniture enhances the restful feel of the space. In the bathroom, a minimal oval tub surrounded by black and white marble patterns provides a serene retreat for the body and mind. Every detail, from material choices to furniture arrangements, ensures that the space meets the daily needs of its residents.
An Experience to Savor
Youshan Meidi Villa’s interior offers a blend of body, environment, and imagination, providing an immersive and enriching experience. Whether watching a movie, dining, exercising, or drinking tea, residents feel the flow of time through the villa’s elegant and relaxed atmosphere. Nature and modern design coexist harmoniously in this home. As night falls, soft recessed lighting and views of the courtyard create a warm and comfortable ambiance, where the joys of life can be fully enjoyed and savored.
