MAGGIE LI
Tansforming a sunken basement into the family’s living heart, within a modern Oriental aesthetic.
Designer
Size
Completed
Photography
Mengjie Li
250 sqm
2020
FF Studio
This three-level home in Shanghai was designed for a couple and their young children, blending the husband’s love of Chinese antiques with the wife’s preference for Scandinavian modernity. The family prioritised education, daily interaction, and a warm environment shared with pets, seeking a flexible home that supports both adult lifestyle and children’s growth.
The existing split levels were reorganised to create functional mezzanine spaces, with the lower floor accommodating the maid’s room, guest bathroom, and storage. A split-height study resolved the limited 4.3 m floor height, while a fully redesigned staircase introduced integrated storage and a playful “secret passage” for the children. These interventions strengthened vertical connections and improved usability across the home.