With Sincere Gratitude:
AD ARCHITECTURE: To Chaoshan contemporary artist Mr. Zheng Shaowen, whose “Yingge Dance” Series anchors the design in local cultural identity. To Lin Xu of Matrix Electronic Band, for composing “Clash with Fate”—an electrifying track that fuses the heroic shouts of Yingge with modern beats, capturing the tension and fusion of tradition and modernity. To Chaoyang Haixing Yingge Dance Troupe and YANA from Latvia, whose joint performance embodies our vision of cultural collision and convergence. And to video production team Flight Film and photographer Ouyang Yun, for their emotive lens that unfolds the cinematic interplay of time and space.
An Abstract Ideology: Dialogue Between Past and Future
Chief designer Xie Peihe believes that time is visible—embedded in the design narrative as a thread that connects past and future. This project orchestrates a dialogue across temporal and cultural boundaries: a traditional Chaoshan house converses with contemporary enclosure walls; the raw power of Yingge dance intersects with YANA’s poised elegance. Characters from disparate time periods form a spiritual “otherworld,” reminiscent of a cinematic, virtual realm—surreal, exaggerated, abstract, yet palpably futuristic. This spatial choreography unfolds a series of events across time, forming a captivating and dramatic scene where local culture and global aesthetics merge through an international design language.
A Hybrid Space Redefining Commerce
“AD FUTURE was originally our design studio,” explains Xie Peihe. “As our office moved to Shenzhen in 2020, this place became my personal retreat. I’m drawn to the sunlight, breeze, rainfall, and birdsong here—simple and serene. I often sit in this old courtyard, sipping tea, enjoying a cigar, and letting my thoughts drift quietly, unwinding from the pressure of urban life. As Shantou’s cultural tourism flourishes, I hope to share this peaceful sanctuary with others—to invite more people to experience and enjoy it.”
AD FUTURE unfolds a journey through past, present, and future. It is a vessel for the unknown, a blank canvas ready to inspire any vision. It serves simultaneously as a tea space, cafe, gallery, aesthetics salon, fashion runway, hotel, and photography venue—where new social dynamics emerge as space evolves. A private, commercially operated retreat, it balances intimacy, comfort, and artistry, offering high-end visitors a haven for solitude, contemplation, and soulful connection.
An Exploration of Time’s Charm in Countryside Revitalization
Shuangbeijian, a historic Chaoshan-style house typology, once sheltered generations of villagers in Siwei. Over time, land redistribution prompted most villagers to relocate and build new homes, leaving behind deteriorating old houses and a dwindling population. The migration of younger generations into cities gradually drained the village of vitality. The core design challenge of the project was clear: how to revitalize the old village and bring young energy back to it. AD ARCHITECTURE began with the revival of a single old house, hoping to spark a ripple effect—like multiplying cells—so that each revitalized house infuses the entire village with renewed vitality.
A Contemporary Lifestyle Hub Revitalizing Village Life and Rural Humanistic Spirit
AD FUTURE invites young generations to reconnect with traditional rural life, offering an escape from urban chaos and a unique relaxation and vacation experience. This project is more than a renovation of an old house; it’s a practice in rural cultural renewal within a contemporary context. The original interiors were cramped and dim, unsuitable for modern life. The design team preserved the original architecture while completely reorganising its internal layout and window openings to welcome light and air. The bold insertion of red geometric blocks into the courtyard sparks a dynamic dialogue between modernity and tradition. Inside, wooden flooring and traditional wall textures maintain the old building’s cultural soul while enhancing its comfort. Furnishings and art weave a narrative across eras and cultures. Chaoshan artist Mr. Zheng Shaowen’s Yingge dance-inspired artworks, and contemporary oil portraits by young local painter Zhu Hui, create an engaging resonance with the architecture. In addition, a curated mix of modern fabric sofas, vintage rattan chairs from the era of Chinese migration to Southeast Asia, British ceramic carts, and Republican-era furniture—all conveying a narrative of temporal and spatial evolution.
“Our design practice embraces a return to essence—celebrating authentic and imperfect beauty, and a humble humanistic spirit. Through spatial aesthetics, curated objects, and original soundscapes, we seek to evoke emotional resonance and invite a journey of inner reflection—guiding visitors away from the noise of the world, toward true, meaningful ease.” Xie Peihe explains.
