The project is located on a river island in Wenzhou City, China, surrounded by water and overlooking the mountains beyond. Its unique location and impressive views provided a rich source of inspiration for designer Ding Jilin (founder and design director of Jishang Space Design, who took the spirit and form of the natural environment as a starting point in creating a comfortable, sophisticated residence that is both bold and nourishing.

The project seeks to express and integrate the deep energy of nature and a sincere expression of inner experience. Warm sunshine and gentle breezes are gifts received from the world, and the space here takes them to build an architectural version of an ancient picture scroll that unfurls to portray the sources of heaven and earth.

The original 1000m² building was designed in a traditional European style, which was arranged in a way that overly divided the space and was not well integrated with its natural surroundings. Ding Jilin introduced drastic changes to the building’s structure and facade, opening up its closed spaces to better meet functional requirements and to create flowing sightlines and circulation. Large windows open the villa to refreshing scenery and light, integrating the indoor and outdoor environments. The project was planned and designed in 2020, with construction completed in January 2023.

A Winding Path Through Light and Shadow

The entrance hall, defined on the exterior through richly toned teak panels, is a space for residents to gather themselves and shift their mindset. Upon stepping through the door, the oak floor and walls clad in wood veneer unfold and lead the eye into the rooms beyond, while creating a natural sense of warmth and comfort.

The tall, narrow proportions of the windows provide dramatic views of the exterior landscape, blurring the boundaries between indoor and outdoor. At the same time, the space retains its own clear and concise character, defined by consistent spatial proportions and combinations of materials, allowing its residents to focus on their daily lives within. The building’s structure dictates the shape and layout of the space, skillfully defining different functional areas, giving the villa a spatially layered beauty that is also derived from pragmatic logic. The changing needs of daily life are accommodated in this series of open and free spaces, creating a home which is both beautiful and adaptable.

The designer has precisely designed every aspect of the villa down to the centimeter, sculpting the architectural structure and employing exquisite craftsmanship in the details to create a minimalist interior of aesthetic refinement.

Altogether, the result is a living environment which is not simply a series of forms and spaces, but which also possesses a rhythm which evokes idyllic feelings and emotions.

The skillfully designed structural system efficiently allows the villa’s spaces to open up to one another for multifunctional use, and the spacious layout allows air and light to flow easily and freely, bringing outdoor ambience into every connected room. Fresh air is brought in, and the surrounding natural scenery is integrated with the people inside, creating a place of serene connection and continuity.

As a subtle breeze whispers, the afterglow gently fades, flames flicker, and butterflies flutter past. In the dining room surrounded by nature, the floor-to-ceiling windows are like the cover pages of a story. Upon opening them, the room is filled with the sounds and fragrance of nature.

Agile Space

The villa’s fluid arrangement of space is like a secret thread, woven through every aspect of the interior. The flowing nature of the design allows its spaces to freely alternate between open and closed. When a door is open, it blends the room with the surrounding environment – and when a door is closed, it forms an independent world with a sense of comfort and aesthetic appreciation.

On the second floor, the large floor-to-ceiling windows illuminate the living room with abundant natural light. There, residents can enjoy spectacular vistas of the river and distant mountain scenery, as if they were an extension of the room itself – effectively bringing the tranquility of nature directly into the villa.

When exploring the beauty of space and nature, legendary architect Louis Kahn once described his experience: “I breathe in nature/ travel between light and shadow/ the boundless sky/ the boundless earth/ I open my heart/ to feel the rhythm of nature.”

The spiral staircase is not simply a functional element connecting different levels, but also acts as a sculptural interior element, expressing the beauty of structure, order, and flowing lines, seamlessly integrated into the overall arrangement of the space.

The scissor staircase connecting the second and third floors is also an important visual focal point. Its minimal design makes flexible use of the space, allowing light and views through it, and demonstrates the diversity of contemporary staircase design.

Serene Comfort

In the tranquil master bedroom, the designer has created an intimate and comfortable space for resting. The unembellished, elegant walls reflect the soft sunlight and morning mist from the window, creating a contemplative and elegant atmosphere. The white translucent curtains hanging by the window sway in the wind, adding a soft and subtle touch to the interior. Here, people are invited to put aside the complexity of daily life and experience a quiet, personal moment.

The study and tea room play multiple roles in the space design: as practical, functional spaces, they also serve as places for the owner to convey his cultural tastes and to enjoy spiritual comforts. In the study, the poetic scenery of blue sky and white clouds are framed by the high window, projecting shadows and reflection into the house, giving the space additional layers and depth. The tea room also has multiple identities: a place of Zen calmness suffused with the fragrance of freshly brewed tea, while also a place for meditation, and for the display of culture, art, and personality.

Skylight: Piercing Beauty

The skylight is a perfect expression of the beauty of penetrating light, extending the space from the basement to the upper floor. This spatial expansion is not only reflected in the circulation of light and air, but also creates a sense of visual richness and closeness to nature, allowing the residents to feel close to the sky, as if it were integrated with the space and themselves.

The structural organization of the villa, centered around the ingress of natural light, serves as a practical tool, but also as a vehicle for spiritual sustenance. As a medium, light communicates with the psyche of the residents, simultaneously imbuing each space with vitality and a sense of tranquil contentment.

The basement is visually open and receives natural light from above, with all of the surfaces finished with micro-cement. The area here is equipped with a personal gym, a bar, and a lounge area, emphasizing functionality and practicality. Naturally, the introduction of sunlight improves the brightness of the space, its soft reflected quality creating a comfortable and attractive atmosphere.

The outdoor courtyard tells its story through a sophisticated design, with modern lines, recessed lighting, and vegetation, brought to life around the central fire pit.

With today’s fast-paced modern lifestyles, people are searching for living environments where they can slow down, relax, and feel closer to nature. The designer has responded to this desire in this project through the creation of an ideal series of connected, open spaces that meet the needs of a modern family.

Project Information

Project name: River Island Villa
Project Location: Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
Project Area:1000㎡
Design Time:2020
Completion Time: 2023
Design Company: Jishang Space Design
Design Director: Ding Linji
Participating Designers: Xu Lin
Construction Responsible: Guo Laisheng
Collaborative Brands: VELUX, Wenzhou Weber Building Materials, Wenzhou Runbo Home Museum, Wenzhou Ruiji Intelligent Lighting, Wenzhou Honglian International Sanitary Ware, Royana, FULA
Project Photography: Hanmo Visual – Ye Song, A‘xuan