Taking New York’s Waldorf Astoria as its design blueprint, this project distills the core essence and spatial ambiance of this iconic hotel. Centered around a sensory narrative defined by “monumental scale, dignified grandeur, textural depth, and exclusive privacy,” the design creates a private clubhouse that replicates the luxurious quality of a five-star hotel.
Project Name: MANSION OF VALUE
Studio Name: Matrix Design
Address: Xiduan, Chengdu, Sichuan Province
Completion Time: December 2024
Design Area: 4000㎡
Photographer: Shi Xiang Wan He
Transcending mere functional attributes, this space has become a symbol of identity and social status, while still serving as a practical venue for high-end social gatherings. It stands as the premier destination for elite social interactions—where refined hospitality and high-caliber networking converge and integrate.
We collectively hold the view that timeless, classic spaces are aesthetic legacies that grow richer through the passage of time and the baptism of history. How to inherit and elevate such precious heritage is itself an expression of contemporary aesthetics. Drawing on the classic paradigm of New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel, this design absorbs its cross-era core value—a value that embodies restrained subtlety, profound implication, and engaging spatial significance.
Furthermore, classical spatial aesthetics emphasize balanced proportions, neat symmetry, and meticulous attention to detail. This design logic delivers a stable and harmonious visual experience, endowing the space with a unique sense of ritual and dignity. In the fast-changing present era, upholding this time-honored aesthetic language reflects a commitment to quality living and a tribute to sophisticated taste. It not only infuses the space with cultural depth but also fosters a sense of emotional belonging and spiritual resonance for those who use it.
Amid the current design landscape saturated with homogenized modern “refined aesthetics,” adhering to classical spatial design techniques and aesthetic heritage has become a means of differentiation. Firstly, classical design emphasizes proportions, rhythms, and details—an aesthetic language tempered by time—which sets it apart from the superficial ornamentation of contemporary designs, delivering a more profound texture and sophistication. Secondly, classical design prioritizes spatial spirituality and cultural expression, endowing works with unique narrative power and cultural distinctiveness. This transforms spaces into carriers of stories and memories, rather than mere physical enclosures.
By integrating classical and contemporary design vocabularies—such as preserving the warm, substantial textural quality of materials while incorporating streamlined modern forms—the design inherits the essence of classicism while meeting modern aesthetic demands. Compared to the superficiality of chasing trends, this “rooted contemporaneity” offers greater depth and enduring appeal. It enables the work to stand out in a monotonous market and establish a design language with genuine identity and timeless resonance.
The space adopts a solemn classical tone, with the overall layout embracing the beauty of symmetry and order. The ceiling incorporates elements inspired by church rose windows; light and shadow cascade through the intricate patterns, imbuing the space with a sacred and tranquil ambiance. This design symbolizes faith and eternity, elevating the spiritual dimension of the environment.
The expression of fashion and creativity in this space transforms the entire area into a canvas for curated art collections. The three-story fashion exhibition hall features a reception lobby and lounge bar on the first floor, a sales center on the second floor, and a retro private dining space on the third floor. These collections are presented as a series of “scenes,” meticulously arranged throughout the space to harmonize with each artwork, collectively creating a multi-dimensional tableau for this art-infused luxury exhibition hall.
In creating the artworks, we drew inspiration from classical motifs, using natural mother-of-pearl as the primary material inlaid on custom art cabinets. The integration of French classical Toile de Jouy patterns creates delicate, sketch-like effects, ensuring every detail exudes uniqueness. This approach conveys a philosophy of noble, high-end living and cultivates an elevated spiritual realm. In the bar area, the artwork Riding Dreams blends classical and modern aesthetics—its poetic depiction of a horse’s head evokes a sense of dignity and invites introspection from viewers, while its purity and serenity resonate deeply. In the clubhouse’s elevator lobby, we designed an art corridor featuring radiant platinum crystal artworks that shimmer with timeless allure. The hand-painted mural Flow of Water and Time depicts liquid-like movement, forming a dynamic contrast with the static “vessel” sculptures, endowing the space with eternal elegance tailored for art collectors. Through these unique materials and artistic interventions, the elevator lobby emanates artistic sophistication and contemporary charm.
In the second-floor sales center, a sacred metal mesh sculpture towers beside the sand table; its classical architectural language and surreal spatial form narrate a dialogue between art and the world. Looking through the metal mesh installation, a self-playing crystal piano stands inside—translucent and resonating with lingering melodies—epitomizing beauty and luxury. Like an artwork anchored in the space, it seamlessly integrates music, art, and technology, delivering a breathtaking immersive artistic experience. The piano pulses in sync with the rhythm and intensity of the notes, its radiant crystal body harmonizing with the shimmering light to create a scene of ethereal elegance, serenity, and enchantment.
