Xi’an Gemdale AZURE ODE CLUB / ZEST ART

Architects: ZEST ART
Area: 1,580 m²
Year: 2025
Photography: Threeimages
City: Xi’an, Shanxi Province
Country: China

ZEST ART’s design for the Xi’an Gemdale AZURE ODE CLUB realizes the Jindi Qinglan brand’s vision of creating spaces that integrate cultural heritage with contemporary refinement. Enveloped within the historic context of Xi’an, the project reinterprets the principles of Oriental aesthetics through material authenticity and spatial poise. Centered around a tranquil courtyard, the clubhouse establishes a narrative of calm and contemplation. A palette inspired by Liu Songnian’s Immortal Mountain and Pavilion and the celadon blue of Ru Kiln porcelain defines its serene tone. The composition relies on contrasts between dark stone, wood, and luminous silk textures, while light and proportion evoke the serenity of a scholar’s retreat. Designed as both a social hub and a sanctuary, the AZURE ODE CLUB exemplifies ZEST ART’s commitment to elegance, restraint, and timeless beauty.

Within the ancient capital of Xi’an, ZEST ART’s design for the Gemdale AZURE ODE CLUB explores how contemporary interiors can embody the enduring grace of traditional aesthetics. The project, the first of the Jindi Qinglan series, transforms the idea of a community clubhouse into a space of cultural resonance. Instead of grandeur, the design pursues refinement through spatial clarity and restrained opulence, using elegance as its defining boundary rather than enclosure.

At the heart of the composition lies a central courtyard, conceived as both an anchor and a breathing space. This layout channels the architectural heritage of Chinese gardens, where balance and void coexist to cultivate introspection. The design draws directly from Song Dynasty ideals of composure and purity, with a material palette that merges tactile richness and visual harmony. Black stone and dark wood provide a grounded contrast to the reflective finishes of antique copper stainless steel and wired glass, while silk, washi paper, and resin boards contribute layers of softness. The resulting ambience shifts with natural light, creating subtle transitions that echo the rhythms of nature.

The project’s visual identity is informed by Liu Songnian’s Immortal Mountain and Pavilion and the sky blue of Ru Kiln ceramics, both of which lend an ethereal depth to the spatial narrative. Within the interior sequence, references to “Xiyuan Yaji Tu” unfold across nine spatial moments, guiding visitors from the serenity of the courtyard to the composure of the inner hall. Each zone interprets seclusion and sociability through varying textures and scales, achieving a delicate equilibrium between intimacy and openness.

Rooted in the philosophy that true artistry lies in moderation, the AZURE ODE CLUB translates the ancient language of elegance into modern form. Its design upholds the brand’s belief that architecture and interior space should not merely serve functional needs, but also nurture cultural identity and emotional continuity. In doing so, ZEST ART redefines luxury as an expression of quiet endurance, crafting a place where heritage and modern living converge in poetic balance.