Matrix Design · CLIENT: Matrix Design
Hefei Since 1872 is a clubhouse interior covering 1000 square meters in Anhui, China. The design draws on local heritage and uses a petal motif as a shared theme across the space. Floors are laid with petal shaped stone mosaics, and surfaces are clad in wave textured travertine. Parametric domes are cast in glass fibre reinforced gypsum, and metal details are hammered by hand. Certified timber, travertine and bronze were selected for durability and texture. Reception, lounge and quiet reading zones guide visitors through calm and connected atmospheres.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This project redefines urban living by integrating cultural symbolism, sustainable materials, and high craftsmanship across public and private spaces. Unique features include petal inspired stone mosaics, parametric domes, artisanal metalwork, and wave textured travertine surfaces. Each detail merges visual harmony, functional elegance, and long term durability, creating an immersive aesthetic and experiential journey.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The project covers a total design area of 1000 square meters. Panel joints across the project were controlled under 1.5 mm tolerance to ensure precision and visual consistency.
- Tags
- Urban Sanctuary, Travertine Texture, Parametric Ceiling, Bronze Emblem, Mosaic Stone Flooring, Petal Motif, Artisanal Metalwork, Sustainable Material, Immersive Atmosphere, Seal Series
- Production Technology
- Advanced digital fabrication methods like CNC templating and laser-calibrated installation were combined with artisanal techniques such as hand-hammered metalwork, seamless GFRG dome casting, and mosaic stone patterning. FSC certified timber, travertine, bronze, and polymer materials were selected for their sustainability, texture, and structural integrity.
- Design Challenge
- A major challenge was achieving harmony between traditional symbols and modern form without becoming decorative or abstract. Balancing handcrafted elements with digital production, navigating material logistics, and complying with safety and sustainability standards all required rigorous design iteration and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
- Project Duration
- The project started in May 2024 in Anhui, China and finished in July 2024.
- Operation Flow
- The spatial flow guides users through curated atmospheres, from elegant reception to quiet reading zones. Petal-patterned floors and reflective surfaces orient movement while interactive lighting and material textures encourage tactile and visual engagement. Users naturally navigate and dwell in areas based on mood, light, and layout.
- Research
- This was a cultural and spatial research project exploring the integration of urban heritage into residential and public design. Objectives included enhancing emotional identity and spatial usability. Methods involved site analysis, user feedback, and parametric modeling. Insights showed that symbolic continuity across details increased user satisfaction and cultural engagement.
- Inspiration
- Inspired by the cultural richness of Hefei and the legacy of the Huai Army, this project seeks to translate local heritage into contemporary design. The petal motif, rooted in the Seal Series branding, serves as a narrative thread across spatial elements. Emotional resonance, heritage symbolism, and refined modern lifestyles guided the entire design evolution.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Photographer Shixiang Wanhe, HEFEI SINCE 1872, 2024.
Image #2: Photographer Shixiang Wanhe, HEFEI SINCE 1872, 2024.
Image #3: Photographer Shixiang Wanhe, HEFEI SINCE 1872, 2024.
Image #4: Photographer Shixiang Wanhe, HEFEI SINCE 1872, 2024.
Image #5: Photographer Shixiang Wanhe, HEFEI SINCE 1872, 2024.
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