The charming Vista House by Studio 10 in China is a “juncture of views of flows”

Simple archways and clean lines create a series of marvelous, framed views within Vista House, renovated by Chinese design practice Studio 10. Highlighted by its pleasing colour palette and light materiality, the project is a remodeling of an Italian style private residence in a suburb within Shenzhen, China, where the client wished to add “a contemporary and whimsical taste to this single-family house that they had been living in for more than a decade,” shares Studio 10.

According to the studio, the dwelling’s location within a lush landscape is akin to sitting in the Tuscany countryside, which was emulated in the home's exterior. “Due to stringent statuary restrictions on exterior renovation, we focused instead on reshaping the interior space as well as reinforcing its connection with the outside,” they add.

For Vista House, Studio 10 found inspiration from historical archetypes of countryside Palladian villas, where perspective and depth of spaces are given priority in terms of design, to increase interactions between the insides and the landscape outside. “As a contemporary interpretation, we have added horizontal and vertical openings in the house to reinforce both the depth and superimposing of spaces, connecting them with lines of views. Furthermore, arched window openings have been added on the exterior walls, becoming mediums to frame the landscape vistas for the spectators indoors,” says Shi Zhou, principal in charge, Studio 10.

Classic components of the former Italian architecture were simplified into cleaner, more abstract blocks, proportions and symbols, and are reestablished into the new design that spans two levels, such as the massive Palladian window in the generous living area and the ivory white columns placed outside.

The previous building housed various spaces and rooms which were kept separated, connected via doors. The renovation brought in an open plan restructure that sees the inclusion of a central communal foyer that extends into the living area, “as a juncture of views and flows”, while all other spaces are planned around it. This foyer has diamond tiled marble flooring and to its left lies a white marble staircase with copper balustrades, and a lift with similar accents on its door frame.

Up ahead, a rust coloured marbled arch with a rounded sink is added between the foyer and tea room, softly redefining and dividing the interior design here. When viewing the woods outside through the windows in the tea room, the arch becomes a frame as well as a reference, blocking the view from the double height living space to the powder room door.

Within the 1,000 sqm residential design, four paired arches link the expansive communal space with the dining and kitchen area with a greyer scheme, creating a close circulation and visual loop, the latter merged as one entity. The eye follows the visual lines from the well-lit living area to the duskier dining room and kitchen with cream and moss green marble countertops, and ends at a translucent wall built of glass blocks. Forms, trees and shadows can be seen vaguely from this screen, breaking the uniformity of the space.

Linking the two floors is a quadrant window with a cantilevering balcony, added to the second level wall, where spaces for the family are planned. From these spaces and the fan shaped opening one can see the exterior vista framed by the arched window. The house also includes a spa and sauna done in powder pink marble.

Because the first level of the structure was raised during the remodeling, the basement swimming pool is now at the same level as the back garden, and extends into it. The renovated pool features arched glass windows on three of its sides, lending the space resplendence.

“To some extent, it is much like a loggia that is quite common in Palladian villas,” observes Zhou. A later addition, the vaulted ceiling dips into the pool and is expertly merged into the wall, guiding the eye towards a sculpture and views at the far end of it. “Rippled reflections of the lush greens in the pool through the skylight is re-projected to the vaulted ceiling, making you feel as if you are outside in nature,” adds Zhou.

Project Details

Name: Vista House
Location: Shenzhen, China
Area: 1000 sqm
Year of completion: 2020
Design: Studio 10
Principal‐in‐charge: Shi Zhou
Design Team: Cristina Moreno Cabello, Shuzhen Yao, Xin Zheng, Jiaxiao Bao, Ming Tang, Xiangtong Wu, Lu Yu, Yue Yu
Lighting Design Consultant: Viabizzuno
Construction Drawings Consultant: D-one
Construction: Juzhong Decoration