- Project: Natural Villa
- Architect: GROWTO DESIGN
- Location: China, Chengdu, Sichuan Province
- Year: 2023
- Area: 430 m2
- Photography: Shifang
A Sanctuary of Calm in the Heart of the City
In the vibrant metropolis of Chengdu, where urban rhythms meet timeless traditions, Natural Villa by GROWTO DESIGN emerges as a refuge of calm and purity. The project distills the essence of nature into everyday life — a tranquil dwelling that rejects ornamentation in favor of simplicity, transforming a challenging multi-level structure into a poetic living space that resonates with serenity and warmth.
As the designers describe, the concept embodies the spirit of “three thousand bustling scenes — simplicity leads to greatness.” It is an architectural meditation on balance: between light and shadow, urbanity and nature, the artificial and the organic.
Overcoming Structural Complexity with Poetic Design
The project’s uniqueness stems from its unusual vertical organization: a three-level stacked residence where the top level serves as the main floor, while the two lower levels (B1 and B2) are partially underground, suffering from poor light and ventilation.
Rather than seeing these conditions as constraints, GROWTO DESIGN approached them as opportunities for invention. The team reimagined the internal logic of the structure, prioritizing both aesthetic coherence and functional clarity.
Two strategically placed skylights between the top and mezzanine levels open the space vertically, introducing daylight into the subterranean zones and visually linking the floors through light and voids. The result is a bright, breathable interior that transforms darkness and narrowness into a dynamic sense of openness.
Rethinking Spatial Flow and Daily Living
The mezzanine level was redesigned as the social and functional nucleus of the home — accommodating the living room, dining area, kitchen, and study. This reconfiguration strengthens the interaction between family members while fostering continuous dialogue between indoor and outdoor landscapes.
The design relies on controlled restraint: instead of ornate decoration, subtle shifts in light, texture, and materiality define each zone.
Soft curves complement crisp lines, creating an architectural rhythm that feels at once contemporary and contemplative.
The spatial narrative flows like a piece of music — open and rhythmic, guided by natural light and human movement.
The Language of Simplicity and Material Harmony
Every element in Natural Villa celebrates simplicity as sophistication.
A palette of warm wood, light stone, and soft neutral tones anchors the design, promoting visual calm and emotional balance.
Natural light filters gently across walls and surfaces, animating the interiors throughout the day. Shadows, rather than being concealed, are allowed to express themselves — creating a living composition that mirrors the natural passage of time.
The fusion of rigidity and softness—between rectilinear architecture and tactile materials—imbues the home with quiet power. In this atmosphere, even minimal gestures become profound: a sliver of sunlight, a wooden panel, or a reflection on polished stone becomes a moment of stillness and awareness.
Private Realms of Tranquility
On the uppermost level, the master suite and tea room embody the essence of Eastern calm. The master bedroom’s fluid detailing and neutral tones reflect understated luxury, while the tea room, positioned beside wide windows, opens to the garden beyond — a contemplative retreat where architecture and landscape dissolve into one.
The children’s room introduces a softer narrative. Warm wooden tones paired with lemon-yellow accents evoke vitality and innocence, creating a space that nurtures imagination and joy. The simplicity of form — defined by minimalist geometry and authentic materials — fosters creativity and comfort alike.
A Modern Reflection of Eastern Poetics
Natural Villa transcends function to become a living poem — one that articulates the timeless Chinese philosophy of harmony between man and nature.
By merging contemporary design thinking with local sensibility, GROWTO DESIGN demonstrates how architectural minimalism can express warmth, emotion, and cultural depth.
The home’s natural palette, passive lighting, and balanced composition embody a distinctly modern form of sustainability — one that is not measured solely in technology, but in the restoration of peace and human connection within urban life.
With Natural Villa, GROWTO DESIGN achieves what few modern homes in dense cities manage: a seamless coexistence between urban living and natural calm.
Every detail — from the skylit atrium to the restrained materiality — speaks of clarity, comfort, and connection.
In a world of overstimulation, Natural Villa reminds us that true luxury lies in simplicity, space, and silence.
Luxurious open-concept living space featuring minimalist furniture, expansive glass doors, a stylish staircase, and natural light, emphasizing modern architecture and interior design.[/caption]
