Architecture  ·  Buildings

Tradition With A Dash of Modernity

July 5, 2023

words by Joel Wong | images courtesy of Feng Jian

The role of art, tradition and contemporary design plays a part in the architecture and design of the POLY · Hankou Mark Sales Center in Wuhan, China.

At the centre of Wuhan is the confluence of the Yangtze River and the Han River; positioning it as one of the most centrally accessible cities in China. Located at the core of the prosperous Hankou district sits the POLY · Hankou Mark Sales Center, designed by Guangzhou-based architecture design firm M-Design. 

Taking inspiration from both traditional Chinese culture with a dash of modernity, the Hankou Mark Sales Centre utilises elegant and fashionable elements to connect the space. In particular, the design team incorporated the traditional Hankou culture, including elegant pavilions, classic wood carvings with intricate ornamentation and the intersection of the Yangtze and Han Rivers to create a feeling of a thriving past intermingled with contemporary urban life. 

Art plays an important role in the overall design, with the design team combining the elegance and essence of an international luxury brand with the aesthetic elements of the traditional; lending an air of elegance, luxury, fashion and modernity into the overall space. The use of art also takes on more traditional airs, as it reflects on Wuhan’s status as one of the cities that has thrived the most since ancient times.

In particular, the team used a motif of circles across the project, which integrated the concept of minimalism and elegance together with exquisite details to create an innovative artistic form that is at once classic and modern. These visual elements allow for guests to enjoy the visual elements with an overall aesthetic experience. 

The M-Design team also played with light and shadows across the project, with natural light travelling through a designated corridor to create an otherworldly experience of a time machine connecting traditional and modern culture. Using light, the team was able to present a design in which a combination of silhouettes and distinctive colour schemes creates a unique story of recreation and connection.

The distinctive use of spatial elements throughout the space creates a sense of elegance; an experience of luxury. The use of an ink mirror finish for the ceiling reflects the epitome of Wuhan as a city, and combines culture and modernist style within the design. This connection between the city and culture also presents itself through the bustling image of the architectural frame; forming the beauty of local architecture through silhouettes, and in a sense, understands the profound vision of humanity. 

Ultimately, this project allows for an untapped space to explore the historical and spiritual culture of China through a fusion of elegant and exquisite elements. The M-Design team was able to integrate and execute the entire project from conception, planning and delivery and showcase the acknowledgement of the city’s culture and traditions in a modern sense.

Headquartered in Guangzhou, M-Design is a design firm with 200 professional team members. It is a comprehensive design firm majoring in interior design, FF&E, furniture and fabrics customization, household products, artwork integration and construction engineering. The company has obtained class B design qualification in architecture, decoration and engineering, boasting 6 sub-brands including an architectural interior design brand (M-Design), furniture customization brand (The Xihao Workshop), residential fabrics brand (One House One Cloth), a brand of integrated household products chain (Pin House), a modern decoration engineering firm (Chuangmei Engineering), and an art platform (GoGo Art). 

Pursuing a better life has long been the career goal of M-Design. Developing for over 10 years, the company serves many middle- and large-sized property developers and business clients. With an international vision, advanced creativity and diversified design methods, M-Design sticks to its mission of “creating more wonder designs”. Based on innovative thinking about the market, product and operation, it commits to designing a targeted modern space which is advanced and full of art, and activating the owners’ sense of experience and enjoyment to maximize the space value.

For more information, please visit About M-Design.