Zimo ● Songjing

In Zimo ● Songjing, light is integrated into the household as an essential element rather than just a finishing touch. NANJING SUKONG INTERIOR DESIGN CO. LTD. has transformed a traditional townhouse by introducing a new vertical sequence that allows daylight from a third-floor skylight to flow through the center of the home, connecting rooms that would otherwise feel like separate levels. The transformation begins with the staircase, which has been reconfigured from two flights into three and paired with a transparent lift, making it the central feature of the residence. Daylight, movement, and glimpses of family life all pass through this vertical chamber, providing the house with a sense of internal orientation that is experienced from one floor to the next. The lift is an integral part of this architectural composition, carrying reflections and changing light throughout the day without obstructing the center of the layout. The result is a home organized around relationships rather than isolated rooms. The basement, ground floor, and mezzanine support the more social aspects of daily life, while the upper levels are designated for bedrooms and private facilities. This gradual transition creates a natural rhythm throughout the house, moving from gathering and entertainment spaces to areas of rest and privacy, all while maintaining the visual continuity that unites the interior. This continuity is particularly crucial in a multi-level home. While staircases typically function solely as a means of moving between floors, here they also allow family members to stay aware of activities happening elsewhere in the house. Sightlines across landings, openings that frame adjacent rooms, and light that travels vertically all contribute to a sense of connection within the domestic realm. The choice of materials is deliberately controlled. Light-colored surfaces reflect changing daylight, while darker cabinetry adds definition to the larger rooms. Warm red-brown tones introduce depth to the communal spaces. These elements establish continuity without flattening the individual character of each room. Living, dining, and transitional areas remain distinct yet are perceived as parts of a cohesive whole. On the upper floor, the atmosphere becomes more personal. The third level is designed as a complete suite, where the architecture pays particular attention to the rituals of private life. An opening above the tatami area allows afternoon light to traverse textured walls, making the passage of time a visible component of the room. The master bedroom furthers this concept through its structure. Black beams and columns create a more intimate scale around the bed and incorporate the sloping roof into the design. Their presence stems from the structural renovation, giving the room a stronger architectural identity while allowing sleeping, storage, and tatami areas to coexist within one space. Transparency is handled with equal thoughtfulness. Rippled glass blocks between the master bathroom and wardrobe allow light to permeate while maintaining privacy. In the south-facing bedroom, an acrylic screen separates sleeping and laundry functions by diffusion rather than complete enclosure. These materials keep adjacent activities connected through light, even when direct views are softened. This approach gives the project relevance within contemporary residential design. Privacy is not merely viewed as a binary state of open or closed; instead, it can be modulated through translucency, distance, material choices, and varying levels of visibility. This same principle applies to the house as a whole: shared life remains perceivable without compromising the tranquil character of the upper floors. NANJING SUKONG INTERIOR DESIGN CO. LTD. employs stairs, skylights, structural elements, and translucent boundaries to strengthen the relationship between everyday routines, light, and family interactions. The house becomes most expressive through the continually changing moments, such as a figure moving behind glass, afternoon sunlight crossing a wall, or an unexpected view opening between floors.

Zimo ● Songjing stands as a refined study in spatial choreography. The designers address the vertical axis by weaving the staircase, glass lift, and skylight into a unified volume. This central atrium invites light to cascade through the residence, serving as a pulse that guides movement and connects levels through clear sightlines. The programme follows a sensitive distribution, placing social environments on the lower levels while reserving the upper storeys for quietude. This organization allows family members to maintain awareness of one another across the residence. Materiality further enhances the experience as neutral surfaces interact with warm joinery and earth tones to anchor the communal spaces. Within the master suite, exposed structural elements and thoughtful partitions create layers of intimacy, allowing light to define boundaries with grace.

Renovations gain their greatest strength when they return to fundamental architectural principles. Zimo ● Songjing succeeds because the design team prioritizes the vertical experience, stitching floors together with a skylight that pulls daylight into the heart of the residence. This vertical sequence creates a rhythmic flow, transforming how occupants move through and inhabit their surroundings. The nuanced approach to privacy is particularly compelling. True openness arises from the careful modulation of light. Using glass blocks and translucent screens, the design filters visibility to maintain the sanctity of private life while inviting shared energy to permeate every corner. This is residential design at its most insightful, proving that comfort comes from how we choreograph the interplay between light, movement, and the people we hold dear.

**Image 01 — Living Room with Dark Coffered Ceiling** The room features pale upholstery that balances with warm brown wall panels and a dark overhead grid. The high ceiling enhances the spaciousness of the open communal area while providing a comfortable domestic scale. **Image 02 — Transitional Ledge and Framed Artwork** A raised black ledge, combined with pale wall surfaces and a single piece of artwork, creates a subtle pause beside the circulation space. The adjacent stairwell indicates the vertical movement throughout the house. **Image 03 — Entrance Court and Natural Light** Natural light floods the entrance floor through a planted court, creating a soft boundary between the interior and exterior spaces. The enclosed outdoor area introduces greenery into the deep interior layout. **Image 04 — Double-Height Communal Space** A long perspective connects the mezzanine, dining area, and lower living spaces. Framed openings and varying levels maintain visual relationships while allowing each zone to serve its distinct purpose **Image 05 — Deep Red Kitchen Cabinetry** Vibrant red storage and work surfaces give the kitchen a strong identity, contrasting with black countertops and abundant natural light. This color choice highlights the active zone without isolating it from the rest of the home. **Image 06 — Master Suite Framed by Black Structure** Black beams and columns define the bed, storage, and raised tatami area beneath the sloping roof. This framework provides proportion to the tall space while preserving visual connections **Image 07 — Raised Tatami Setting** A low table, timber floor, and gold-toned screen create a tranquil space within the suite. This setting introduces a sense of ritual and a slower pace next to the sleeping area. **Image 08 — Calm Bedroom Design** The bedroom is organized around a low bed, a dark horizontal headboard, and filtered side light. The minimalist composition emphasizes rest and offers a soothing contrast to the shared lower levels.

No architectural plans or sections were provided in the project folder. The spatial analysis is based on the original designer's submission and eight photographs. The house is characterized as a narrow-fronted townhouse with significant depth. The main reorganization takes place in section, where the original two-flight staircase is transformed into a three-flight staircase adjacent to a transparent lift, with a skylight above. The staircase, lift, and vertical void create a central orientation chamber. Openings and landings visually connect several levels, while the transparent lift allows daylight to flow through the center, rather than being obstructed by an opaque shaft. The lower level includes basement, ground floor, and mezzanine spaces designated for living, entertaining, and leisure activities. The upper second and third floors comprise bedrooms, bathrooms, and storage areas, creating a distinct transition from active spaces to private ones. The third-floor master suite opens up to the sloping roof. Black structural frames separate the bed, wardrobe, and tatami areas, while a new opening above the tatami setting lets in additional light and enhances the perceived volume of the space. Rippled glass blocks and acrylic panels are incorporated between functions that require both privacy and daylight. These design elements indicate a planning approach where boundaries are defined by light transmission rather than being strictly categorized as open or closed.

After a preliminary site survey, we found that the building is a traditional townhouse type with a significant drawback—its frontage is narrow while its depth is relatively long. This is the primary issue that needs to be addressed. We redesigned the staircase layout, changing the original two-flight staircase into a three-flight one and adding a glass elevator. In this way, natural light can shine from the skylight on the third floor all the way down to the first floor, effectively solving the lighting problem caused by the building's excessive depth. The staircase, as a medium connecting spaces, is not merely a tool for vertical circulation—it also becomes a channel for the flow of light and sightlines. The glass elevator is transparent and light, allowing light to pass through unobstructed while reflecting the subtle traces of life unfolding within the space. We firmly believe that true comfort does not stem from elaborate construction, but from respecting and responding to the rhythms of nature. When the wind passes through the atrium and light falls onto the floor, the space begins to breathe. In terms of functional layout, we designated the first floor, basement, and mezzanine for daily living, entertaining guests, and leisure activities. The second and third floors serve as private personal spaces, housing bedrooms, bathrooms, and storage or walk-in closets. This layered strategy allocates public and private spaces appropriately, separating active and quiet areas. It ensures the open flow of daily life while preserving tranquility and privacy for the resting spaces. The third floor functions as a complete suite, emphasizing a sense of ritual in daily life right from the entrance. During the structural renovation, the floor above the tatami area was deliberately opened, allowing light to leave traces of time on the walls every afternoon. Large expanses of paint are no longer cold gray or white; instead, they become the textured surface through which the walls seem to breathe. Texture extends along the play of light and shadow, gradually unfolding within the rustic screens, subtly revealing the layers of the space. The black beams and columns beside the master bed are not for show; through structural renovation, they create a more comfortable scale in what was originally a cramped bedroom. Additionally, by opening the floor above the sleeping area, the building's originally sloped roof can interact with the beams and columns, creating a unique spatial experience. The wall between the master bathroom and the walk-in closet is made of rippled glass bricks, which not only allow more light to pass through but also add a playful touch to daily life. The south-facing bedroom on the second floor is integrated with the laundry area according to the owner's lifestyle. An acrylic screen diffuses soft light and shadow, blurring the boundary between the laundry and the resting area—maintaining privacy while preserving a subtle connection. The space achieves a balance between function and emotion, with every detail responding to the genuine needs of its occupants.

Prepared for Merci Magazine × Sky Design Awards 2026