亭然 Like a Pavilion

 

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長期旅居國外的生活，讓兩位屋主對白派建築師Richard Meier所設計的輕盈建築有強烈的共鳴，便以此做為退休後新生活的開始。屋主們融合著中、西步調，獨特而迷人的氣質，激起了想在摩登的建築外觀中，加入江南園林特色的發想，設計從此展開，而園林建築形式的畫龍點睛之筆＂亭＂，便成了本案的中心。

粉牆沿著空間四周蔓延，隱約閃著細緻珠光，構築出一片美好江南天地，黛瓦化成黑色線條，勾勒出飛簷輪廓，重現園林風光。客廳的中央是一池清淺，半弧形沙發似圍著淺塘的沈穩大石，靜靜安坐其上，仿若置身於亭中，後縮至室內的結構柱，自然巧妙地區隔出了不同空間，降低了粗大圓柱突兀的存在感，貫徹全室天花的穿斗式構架，消弭了樑體造成視覺窒礙，使空間達到內在的和諧。面對牆上掛畫、窗外的風光，頗有『江山無限景，都取一亭中』之感概。

玄關牆上懸掛著圓亮的月光，橙色的天地是秋日的桔，飽滿而溫潤，望穿飛簷造型隔屏，是園林中最美的框景，為隔而不斷的空間增加更多層次。隱約可見藏於格柵的一抹紅，是春日的桃李也是冬日的寒梅，琉璃光影流轉，鼓動著喜氣洋洋的團圓時分。酒足飯飽後，伴隨歡慶的氣氛，踏入主臥空間，床頭絲質壁紙滲出夏日的綠意，寧靜而充滿生機，延續著公共空間中粉墻黛瓦的語彙，呼應著江南好風光。

園林景觀中四季交疊變化的色彩，成為室內各空間精彩的點綴，豐富了生活的樣貌。亦取亭之威儀之勢，如歐陽詹：『亭然止六合居中，赫矣洞九霄臨下 』所述，寄予屋主日後在新家的生活無限的祝福。

 

After a long period abroad, the two owners developed a great appreciation for the light, graceful structures designed by Richard Meier of the "white" school of architecture, which they took as the starting point for their new life in retirement. Their unique and appealing characters, and their combination of Chinese and Western rhythms, inspired them to introduce the style of a southern Chinese garden from the Jiangnan region into this modern-looking structure. The design evolved from this idea, and the finishing touch that completed this architectural concept was its "pavilion," which became the project's focal point.

Structuring this beautiful Jiangnan-inspired space is the white wall that extends around it, exuding a faint, pearly glow; black tiles are transformed into black lines that outline the shapes of flying eaves to lend a garden ambience. A clear, shallow basin rests in the center of the living room, while the half-oval sofa beside it has the calm, steady presence of a large boulder. Sitting there quietly, it feels as if you are in a pavilion, while behind, the structural columns recede into the interior, naturally and ingeniously partitioning the residence into different spaces. The intrusive presence of those stout pillars is reduced, while the deeply indented ceilings throughout likewise eliminate the visual obstruction of the structural beams and bring the residence into inner harmony. Gazing at the paintings on the walls, and the scenic views outside the windows, brings a sense of "boundless scenes of mountains and rivers, captured in one pavilion."

The light of a bright, full moon hangs on the foyer wall, full and soft, in a world with the rich orange tones of autumn. The dividing screen, with its suggestions of upturned eaves, frames a beautiful garden scene and adds further layers to this partitioned but continuous space. Hidden beyond its grill we can see touches of red, the red of peaches and plums in the spring, or of winter plum blossoms. Light and shadow on glass surfaces enhance the joyous feeling of a time of reunion. After partaking of food and drink in a festive atmosphere, we enter the master bedroom with its wallpaper of silk, which exudes the greenness of summer, tranquil but full of vitality. This continues the theme of white walls and black tiles found in the public spaces, while evoking the beautiful scenery of the Jiangnan region.

Each of the interior spaces is adorned with the overlapping, changing colors of a garden landscape through the four seasons, to enrich the life that is lived within. Chinese pavilions are tall, majestic structures, and thus, with the words of the Chinese poet Ouyang Zhan, "Standing majestically in the midst of the world, the nine immortals seem to descend among us," we express our deepest best wishes for the owners in their new life here

Tang poet Yang Jong once described green moss as such in his poem On Green Moss: It is magnanimous and honorable; it follows the rhythm of heaven and earth instead of its own ambition and emotions. Sage of poetry Wang Wei also wrote in his work Green Moments, “As I sit and look at the dark green moss, how queer; My very garments seem to become its green display.” In a literati’s eyes, moss represents the virtues of modesty and gentleness. It is gifted but does not flaunt, delights but does not indulge, malleable and full of life. For all these attributes, moss is therefore considered by the Chinese to embody this life philosophy—staying unperturbed despite the rattle around it.
The flow in this design sets out in a gradual manner. Looking into the interior of the home from the entrance, one can get a glimpse of shadow and light through the grated screen. In the corridor green moss bedecks the living room. Turning around you are then greeted by another hallway, which hints at the space you are about to experience. Take a few more steps, you will suddenly find yourself surrounded by a vast open space. The high ceiling with fitting beams cultivates an Eastern mood in this common area.
A large carpet in mossy color allude to the greenery that sways in the breeze, like hope ready to spring from earth. The white sofa, dining table and rocks in the walls are landscapes that spread over the undulating moss, imparting a multilayered visual effect that enriches the space. In the open kitchen are sparkling sidewalls decorated with hexagon mosaic, also in moss color. The grand window scenery is extended by soft green wallpaper into the bedroom, where the sense of fresh spring fills the room with warmth.
Walking along the greenness in a circular path, one will encounter a study in which the wall covered by pristine paper pulp gives off a natural aura as if returning to literary simplicity and innocence. Next is the master bedroom designed with the concept of an art gallery. The collection of artworks is associated with modern sophistication and reveals a unique life philosophy.
Birds of freedom are a recurring motif in this home. This is our sincere wish to its residents. May their heart find peace and clarity, and as they stand on the moss, may their spirit roam free far beyond the great blue sky, unfettered by worldly desires.