Transcending the Tangible at Qushui Lanting Resort with DJX Design Studio
- Tang Yifei
- 7 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
Founded by Wang Bing in 2012, Beijing-based DJX Design Studio has steadily built a reputation for its cross-disciplinary approach to architecture, spatial, interior, and product design. Guided by a diverse international team of young designers, DJX Design embodies the belief that all things inherit from the past while evolving toward new expressions.
About DJX Design Studio
At the heart of their philosophy is the idea of designers as "dream makers," working seamlessly with light, temperature, texture, and structure to transcend the tangible and eternalize the intangible.
The studio's thoughtful synthesis of tradition and innovation has earned it recognition on a global stage, with accolades from the MUSE Design Awards, Shanghai Design Awards, and Berlin Design Awards among others.
Within this context, Wang Bing’s personal vision has been instrumental. His ability to harmonize the metaphysical aspects of Eastern philosophy with contemporary sensibilities is nowhere more evident than in the newly completed Qushui-Lanting Resort in Shanghai.
In this conversation, Wang shares reflections on the project, the quiet clarity of DJX’s methodology, and how his concise yet deeply philosophical responses mirror the Eastern traditions—where brevity, essence, and the unseen carry profound significance.
Through a dialogue that oscillates between the structural and the spiritual, Wang reveals a design approach that is both rooted in cultural heritage and dynamically forward-looking.
Interview with Wang Bing
Your studio's design philosophy mentions "eternalizing the intangible." How did this concept guide your design in the Qushui-Lanting project?
Wang Bing: "Eternalizing the intangible" is the ultimate evaluation of our design, but we didn't deliberately pursue it. Our approach focused on simplifying architectural information to enhance clarity and logic. We refined the original complex structure by eliminating superfluous elements, preserving essential components like the entrance, atrium, and exterior windows. This made the architecture purer and more orderly.
"Architecture must transcend function to offer relaxation, serenity, and spiritual solace."— Wang Bing
Building on that idea of clarity and purity, how do you balance contemporary sensibilities with a sense of tradition when working with Eastern cultural references?
Wang Bing: Eastern tradition isn't about replicating forms but is embedded in behavioral patterns. We focused on the relationship between humans and nature rather than strict utility. In Qushui-Lanting, we arranged spaces to respond to modern desires for nature, tranquility, and freedom, bridging Eastern essence with contemporary comfort.
You mentioned the growing importance of behavioral patterns. How should architecture respond to today’s shifting emotional landscape, particularly post-pandemic?
Wang Bing: Society has shifted from instrumental to value rationality. Architecture must transcend function to offer relaxation, serenity, and spiritual solace. It should nurture inner well-being rather than merely serving utilitarian purposes.
As architecture moves beyond utility into emotional resonance, does it also become a form of storytelling? What story did you want Qushui-Lanting to tell?
Wang Bing: It's not a specific story but a reinterpretation of the deep psyche of Eastern agrarian civilization. Through spatial organization, we created a setting that intuitively resonates with visitors' inner needs.
Speaking of intangible qualities, how does light, another elusive element, shape your designs at Qushui-Lanting?
Wang Bing: Light expands spatial dimensions. We use it to connect architecture with nature, creating an intangible sense of extension and allowing occupants to perceive dialogue with the cosmos.
"Light expands spatial dimensions, allowing occupants to perceive dialogue with the cosmos."— Wang Bing
Flowing naturally from your use of light, the resort's cascading walls also feel alive. Could you share your creative process behind shaping these expressive structures?
Wang Bing: These forms emerged naturally from simplifying space and emphasizing flow, rather than literal representation. They evoke natural landscapes and ancient scrolls, strengthening the connection between architecture and nature.
These forms suggest movement and immersion. How did you extend that feeling through the spatial rhythm of areas like the spa, reception, and lounge?
Wang Bing: Each zone follows behavioral rhythms. For example, the spa’s layout encourages shedding social roles and embracing pure selfhood. Through meticulous planning, we crafted a cohesive yet immersive experience.
Water also appears as a unifying element throughout the project. What significance does water hold in your architectural vocabulary?
Wang Bing: Water is a medium of spatial interaction. Its refraction and reflection breathe life into architecture, offering symbolic depth and sensory resonance.
Your designs often hint at deeper philosophies. How did Daoist and Zen ideas materialize within the Qushui-Lanting experience?
Wang Bing: These philosophies emphasize harmony with nature. We designed Qushui-Lanting to reconnect occupants with elemental being, allowing them to rediscover a primal sense of existence.
Nature plays an obvious role. How did you incorporate biophilic principles while maintaining a sophisticated, urban retreat?
Wang Bing: We selected natural materials like clay, wood, marble, and water. Their innate qualities evoke timeless elegance and healing while merging with modern aesthetics.
"We designed Qushui-Lanting to reconnect occupants with elemental being."— Wang Bing
Staying connected to philosophy and tradition, how did you ensure that cultural references remained authentic yet innovative in the project?
Wang Bing: We didn't consciously mimic ink-wash paintings. As inheritors of Eastern culture, the spirit naturally manifested. True innovation lies in reinterpreting cultural essence through spatial treatment.
When engaging with such a rich cultural heritage, how did you avoid falling into familiar or clichéd expressions?
Wang Bing: We avoided decorative tropes and focused on distilling the culture's atmospheric depth, capturing its true resonance rather than superficial motifs.
Beyond aesthetics, cultural memory runs deeper. What role does architecture play in preserving memory while still embracing the future?
Wang Bing: Cultural transmission is a natural flow. Architecture pays homage to the past while exploring future possibilities without forced conservation.
Given the interplay between architecture, interiors, and lighting, how did you maintain a unified and coherent vision across all these disciplines?
Wang Bing: All disciplines aimed to embody "Eastern civilization." By returning to natural philosophy and simplifying excess, we achieved functional and expressive coherence.
Every ambitious project faces hurdles. What was the greatest challenge in bringing Qushui-Lanting to life?
Wang Bing: The greatest hurdle was gaining acceptance. Investors and managers initially resisted the unprecedented design. Building trust through dialogue helped overcome this.
As the project evolved, how did your relationship with the client help shape and refine the final outcome?
Wang Bing: The design evolved dynamically. Shared philosophical alignment and growing client trust allowed creative freedom beyond industry norms.
Earlier you touched on the importance of restraint. How does this philosophy shape your definition of true luxury in design?
Wang Bing: Luxury emerges from restraint and refinement, not opulence. It lies in maximizing natural interplay—walls, light, and water converge to create quiet grandeur.
"Luxury emerges from restraint and refinement, not opulence."— Wang Bing
Your projects blend sculptural expression with deep functionality. How do you balance these two aspects when designing spaces?
Wang Bing: Functionality comes first. Sculptural expression enhances comfort and practicality without compromising user experience.
Material choice seems to play an emotional role in your projects. Which materials were most essential to creating the sensory richness of Qushui-Lanting?
Wang Bing: Natural materials—with their textures and patinas—were crucial. They enrich spatial layers and emotional depth, triggering immediate sensory responses.
Looking ahead, building on your philosophy of emotional resonance and cultural identity, how do you see architecture shaping wellness—and what’s next for DJX Design?
Wang Bing: Architecture must address societal health, especially in urban contexts. Our future direction explores wellness through cultural tourism—where architecture becomes a tool to deepen behavioral and cultural identity.
Learn More About DJX Design Studio
For those inspired by Wang Bing’s vision of transcending the tangible and blending tradition with contemporary design, DJX Design Studio offers a refreshing perspective on the future of architecture and wellness. To learn more or connect with the studio, you can reach them at info@djx-studio.com.