Matrix Design & Enjoy Design Merges Cultural Sophistication with International Luxury

This week’s instalment of the Project of the Week series features an immersive property development design by 2025 SBID Awards Finalists, Matrix Design and Enjoy Design

Matrix Design & ENJOY DESIGN were commissioned by Vanke Real Estate to create the interior concept for Changsha Vanke Oriental One, a high-end residential demonstration zone. Inspired by Shanghai-style classic aesthetics, the project merges cultural sophistication with international luxury. Featuring five key functional areas and custom floral installations by artist Mr. Dalu, the design delivers an immersive lifestyle experience for elite global returnees. Despite tight timelines and budgets, the team integrated sustainable strategies, modular logistics, and cross-cultural artistic expression to create a landmark in luxury residential design.

What was the client’s brief?

The client targeted an elite demographic—internationally experienced professionals in finance and economics, particularly cosmopolitan returnees with overseas study backgrounds. This group possesses rich global travel experiences, profound expertise in finance, and aspirations for cutting-edge living standards that align with the lifestyles of high-end social circles. Their core demands included: creating an immersive residential atmosphere that blends the elegance and comfort of a boutique hotel; integrating multi-dimensional living scenarios (encompassing a community entrance lobby, reception & sales area, VIP high-end custom club, Art Sanctuary multi-functional club, and Learning & Play multi-functional club) to cater to elite urban life rhythms; and conveying the philosophy of “symbolic exclusivity and artistic living,” ultimately transforming the space into a lifestyle hub that embodies Shanghai-style refinement, artistic ambiance, and premium experiential value.

What inspired the design of the project?

The design drew inspiration from three interconnected pillars, rooted in cultural heritage, client needs, and aesthetic benchmarks:

Cultural origin: It took “Shanghai-Style Classic” as its core theme, deriving creative impetus from modern Shanghai’s cultural sophistication, legacy of glamour, and cosmopolitan identity—seeking to reinterpret classical Eastern aesthetics through a contemporary, globally attuned lens.

Aesthetic benchmark: It referenced the visual vocabulary of Bulgari Hotels, particularly adopting its iconic black-and-white wall art technique. To resonate with the clients’ financial backgrounds, the design transformed architectural photography of global financial hubs (across historical eras) into abstract artistic statements via geometric reinterpretation and modern artistic methods, capturing the essence of these economic powerhouses.

Lifestyle orientation: Guided by the clients’ pursuit of high-end living, the design aimed to replicate the refined ambiance of a hotel-style clubhouse, integrating the coveted lifestyle experiences of elite circles into residential spaces while aligning with the project’s vision of “co-creating an artistic and fulfilling life narrative.”

What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?

The team faced a triple challenge: massive design scope, extremely tight construction timeline, and limited budget—a race against time and cost that threatened to compromise the project’s stylistic authenticity and quality.

To address this, a multi-faceted solution was implemented:

Cross-continental collaboration & cost-efficient sourcing: The team established an online-offline integrated workflow, building a database of Shanghai-style antique artifacts to screen high-quality global sources while coordinating overseas logistics. Simultaneously, partnerships with local artisans were forged to replicate classic Shanghai-style elements—striking a balance between cost reduction and stylistic fidelity.

Precision execution in installation: A meticulous timeline and task allocation plan were developed for the installation and staging phase. For large-scale installations and furniture placement, professional hoisting equipment was deployed to overcome logistical hurdles.

Through close collaboration across stakeholders and rigorous execution, the project was delivered on schedule, seamlessly merging Shanghai-style elegance with artisanal ingenuity.

What was your team’s highlight of the project?

The project’s highlights revolved around its unique cultural expression, artistic integration, and multi-dimensional functionality:

“Shanghai-Style Classic” aesthetic with iconic visuals: The Bulgari-inspired black-and-white wall art—featuring reinterpreted global financial hubs—served as a “super symbol,” creating a visually stunning impact that resonates with the clients’ professional backgrounds while embodying Shanghai’s cosmopolitan charm.

Artist-collaborative bespoke art: Exclusive floral installations were co-created with young artist Mr. Dalu. Dominated by a vibrant red-orange palette and paired with Shanghai-style retro vases and blue-and-white porcelain vases, these site-specific artworks infused each space with the opulence of Shanghai-style art, becoming emotional touchpoints and visual anchors.

Multi-functional lifestyle hubs: The five distinct functional zones (community entrance lobby, reception & sales area, VIP custom club, Art Sanctuary, Learning & Play club) offered immersive, scenario-based experiences, perfectly supporting the rhythms of elite urban life and fulfilling the vision of “symbolic exclusivity and artistic living.”

Harmony of elegance and practicality: It successfully blended the refinement of a boutique hotel with the warmth of a residential space, transforming into a new benchmark for lifestyle aggregation that unites cultural memory, artistic aesthetics, and global aspirations.

Why did you enter the SBID Awards?

The project aligns closely with the SBID Awards’ core values—recognizing design that excels in cultural innovation, functional relevance, sustainability, and execution excellence—making it a compelling candidate:

Innovative cultural interpretation: It reimagines “Shanghai-Style Classic” through a global lens, merging Eastern classical aesthetics with contemporary artistic expressions (e.g., artist collaborations, abstract financial hub art). This unique cultural narrative reflects the SBID’s emphasis on originality and cultural diversity.

Functional excellence for target users: The five functional zones and hotel-style ambiance precisely cater to the needs of finance professionals and overseas returnees, demonstrating a human-centric design approach that balances artistry with practicality— a key criterion for the SBID Awards.

Sustainable luxury commitment: The adoption of low-VOC paints/adhesives, responsibly sourced timber, energy-efficient LED lighting (with smart controls), maximized natural daylight, and PM2.5-monitoring smart fresh air systems embodies the SBID’s focus on health, sustainability, and long-term value.

Exceptional execution under constraints: Overcoming the triple challenges of scope, time, and budget via cross-continental collaboration and precision planning showcases the team’s professional prowess—aligning with the SBID’s recognition of design excellence in real-world contexts.

By entering, the team aimed to share this exploration of “Shanghai-style artistic luxury” with the global design community, contributing to dialogues on culturally rooted, user-centric residential design.

What has being an Award Finalist meant to you and your business?

Being an SBID Awards Finalist holds profound significance for both the team and the business:

For the team: It is a rigorous validation of their expertise—from interpreting Shanghai’s cultural heritage and integrating artistic collaborations to solving complex project constraints. This affirmation strengthens their confidence in pursuing “culturally infused, user-centric design” and inspires them to deepen their exploration of the intersection between local culture and global design trends.

For the business: It elevates brand visibility and credibility in the global high-end residential design sector, particularly among target clients (finance professionals, overseas returnees, and developers seeking cultural-lifestyle projects). The finalist status positions the business as an innovator in “Shanghai-style artistic luxury,” demonstrating its ability to deliver designs that balance cultural depth, functionality, and sustainability. This not only attracts high-caliber projects but also establishes the business as a benchmark for culturally resonant design in the industry, laying a solid foundation for long-term growth.