极致奢华：居住空间

序言 曾经，很多朋友跟我分享过对奢华的看法，有人认为金钱和奢华成正比，也有人认为品牌就是奢华，只要把两者结合在一起
就可以达到奢华的境界了。当然，我不否定这些看法，但我并不完全赞同。因为其中还包含其他关键元素，对于设计师来说
想要完成一个充满奢华气息的项目，单凭以上这两点是远远不够的。其实奢华是怎样形成的？它的元素有哪些？为什么我们
会感受到这个空间充满奢华的气息？这些都是值得我们去深入思考的问题，我尝试在我的经验中找寻一些答案来同大家一起
分享。
想要达到奢华的效果可以从两方面着手：一是要明白奢华都包含哪些元素；二是要清楚在创作一件奢华的作品时，创作者或
是设计师该拥有什么基础。我希望通过对这两点的探讨，日后大家在欣赏或创作这类项目时会得到一些启发，甚至是将奢华
的设计推向更髙的层次。
我认为要了解奢华，首先要先了解“人”本身的生活和历史。在不同的时代，人类对衣食住行的需求也在不断地变化和演进，
在不同的地域和文化中也产生了各自的生活观，从埃及古文明到西方中世纪再到现在，人类无论是在穿衣服的款式上，食物
的烹调方法上，还是在交通工具及居住空间的改变上都有了明显的演进。不但在需求层面上越来越多元化，而且对质量、格调、
品位等的需求也在不断提升。但是在生活方式上无论哪个年代，哪个地方都有一个共通点，那就是同一时代和地域的人，在
生活需求上也会分为不同的层次，哪怕是同一需求也会产生不同层次的产品供该层次的人享用。例如当我们需要坐下来时可
设计一把木制的椅子，有四根木脚、扶手和靠背便可，但在不同需求层次下这把椅子会有很大的变化。我们可以用一级羊皮
来造它的座垫，用南非的钻石来镶嵌它的靠背，用18 世纪的工艺来雕刻它的扶手。毫无疑问后面的椅子可以达到奢华的效果。
从这个例子中可以看出：同一个需求，同一件产品，在不同的设计手法下，就可以达到所谓大众化和贵族化这两种截然不同
的效果。我们不能否认贵族化的效果必然包含奢华的元素。
从上述的例子中也可以发现部分达到奢华效果的基本要素，如珍贵或高级的材料是必备的条件，朴实、原始、粗糙的材料和
风格确实没办法营造奢华的感觉。此外，文化、艺术的积淀也是提升奢华内涵的因素。精细的做工、高贵的品位、悠久的历
史等更能散发出奢华的味道。
在历史的因素中，我所指的不单是历史，也可以是历史背后的故事。英国传统的时钟业品牌Commiti 是英国女皇御用的时钟
制造商，在英国女皇伊利沙白二世六十大寿时设计出一个玻璃外壳，可清晰观赏时钟结构和在报时时可敲打出西敏寺大本钟
音乐的铜管，当中每个零件都是人手精工制造，这也是Commiti 的传统和理念。在这样的历史背景下, 再加上它的艺术设计
和价值，产生奢华的效果是必然的。
从产品中领略到的奢华元素，在空间设计中也是需要的，当设计工作中需要创造一个奢华的气氛时，这些元素也是不可或缺的。
在选择材料时也是非常讲究的，例如木材的颜色、质感、纹理和表面处理等都影响着整体的效果，很多木材在本质上已经被
认定为是高级的代表，有些是出于其珍贵性，有些是因为它的颜色和纹理。我特别喜欢那些拥有自然质感的木材，因为它的
天然纹理所表现出的独特性最有吸引力。此外，在奢华气氛的营造中，文化、历史和背景故事也是非常重要的，可以说它是
品位的所在。我很喜欢欣赏一些用富有艺术感的手法来设计的作品，艺术是人类对美的升华，在设计时把艺术适当地融入空
间内，无论是挂画、地毯，还是家具、布艺等都可以营造出意想不到的效果。 在设计创作中，我特别重视设计师在这方面的修养和内涵。在每一个设计作品中都可以感受到设计师的语言，就和从书画中感受画
家和书法家的内涵一样。设计师的语言就好像我们日常沟通一样，字里行间便可以觉察到对方的气质，从说话的内容和表达方式便
可感受到对方的品位和内涵。这种从内在发出的表达方式，需要设计师对周边高质量的生活、历史和文化艺术特有独特的认识。我
特别欣赏一些设计师每月从自己努力工作的回报中抽出一部分时间和金钱，到不同的地方特别是髙品位的场所去体验，或是参加一
些文化艺术活动, 这样的投资将会带来百倍回报。回忆以往念书的时候, 设计系的同学们都有个共同的心愿: 在毕业时一定要去欧洲
走一趟。因为当时欧洲消费比较高，且我们是学生，经济条件不算太好，我们吃着面包也要到意大利的梵蒂冈看看文艺复兴的艺术，
到希腊巴特农神庙下的露天古剧场听听男高音的音乐，种种的体验加深了自己对历史文化的了解，对设计工作产生了诸多的益处。
后来我们还到中国和其他国家进行文化之旅，正如看中国著名作家余秋雨的作品时一样，了解各地文化与历史，对设计师来说是设
计背后一个巨大的宝库。与此同时认识历史文化的过程也会给设计师带来很多启发，特别是不同地域和不同时代的风格。通过见闻、
阅读和学习来认识真正的风格，我个人很喜欢 Art Nouveau (1888-1905) 和 Art Deco (1925-1935) 时代的设计，在参观法国巴黎奥
赛博物馆 (Mussee D’Orsay) 时，亲眼见到当时Art Nouveau 的家具和设计，其匀称的比例，优美的线条为我日后的设计带来不少启
发。甚至在美国纽约市曼哈顿的艺术馆和众多的建筑中，Art Deco 时代留下来的作品对我也产生了很深远的影响，这些时代的风格
仍然不断影响着当今对奢华的设计。
在欣赏具有奢华气息的设计时，我不单从外观的颜色、用材、文化艺术方面来看，还会探讨设计作品是怎样表达人的生活的，在开
始时我提到人类生活方式的层次必须要在设计作品中体现出来，因为一个好的空间设计作品，其最终目的亦是服务于“人”。生活方
式的层次可能会体现在功能布置上或摆设上，甚至是空间比例上，这方面看似只占设计的一部分，但缺乏这方面考虑的作品很难把
奢华推向至高点。例如，在高级红酒窖内，具有二三十年代风格的室内设计空间，柔和的灯光照射着墙上Georgia O’Keeffe 的油画，
台面上存放的酒无论是在年份、产地，还是在口感方面都达到一定的水平，且配合古巴手卷雪茄和相关工具等，听着三脚钢琴弹奏
的爵士音乐，在这样的气氛下，奢华这两字已不仅限于室内的设计，还是一种生活品质的体现，这体现的精细度已达到视觉、听觉
以至味觉的要求了，也达到高层次生活的境界了。
非常感谢华中科技大学出版社邀请我为《极致奢华》作序，一方面分享了我对“奢华”的看法，另一方面也分享了设计师在设计奢华
类项目时应有的心态。虽然是我个人片面的心得，但我希望读者在欣赏《极致奢华》时，不仅从外观、视觉的层面去欣赏，还要从
奢华的表达方式和体验等方面去思考，以便在日后的设计工作或自我生活中得到更多的感悟。
Over the years, many friends and I have always discussed the meaning of luxury. General consensus associates luxury with money
and name brands. If we were to combine the two together, this will ensure the definition of luxury. I do not deny this logic,
however, there are also other elements. From a designer's perspective, one cannot simply rely on name brand and money to
achieve the objective of luxurious design. How does one create a luxurious atmosphere? What are the contributing factors? When
one enters a so-called luxurious environment, how can one feel the luxurious surroundings? This is well worth considering from
different perspectives, and I like to share with you from my experience.
To achieve a luxurious effect, we shall do from these two aspects;Firstly,we must understand the luxury contain what
elements;Secondly,we to be clear what background should the designer possess in order for him or her to achieve this luxurious
objective? I want to through the discuss about these two points to bring the design to a higher level for future creation and
appreciation on projects.
In order to understand luxury better, we have to first understand the evolution and history of human beings. Over the centuries,
mankind has changed progressively. These changes are derived from a geographical and cultural backgrounds. From the ancient
Egyptians to the European Middle Ages and to present day, mankind has changed from their basic apparels to cuisines radically.
Daily transport means, and habitats have improved substantially. From simple every day need, to the quality of life. There is
however, one common factor, regardless of time and different culture, there always lie different product designs to satisfy different
consumers’ needs. e.g. when one wish to rest or sit, one simply design a chair with four legs with armrest and back built from wood.
From this simple design, we could then add a lamb pelt to the cushion, embed diamonds to the back, and even use the eighteenth
century European workmanship design on the armrests. Without a doubt, this will create a luxury effect. From this simple example,
using a simple chair, add different optional material, this will achieve the so-called massification and aristocratic effect, we do not
deny the noble feel with some elements of luxury.
From the above, luxurious elements, precious material are essential in creating this luxurious feel. The raw and rough material will
not be able to achieve the same effect. Besides,culture and art accumulation also can promote the luxurious feel.Together with the
fine craftsmanship, impeccable taste and cultural historical background further enhance the overall flavor of luxury.
Under the history element, I do not mean only a long history, but the story behind the history. When Queen Elizabeth II celebrated
her sixtieth year birthday as the longest ruling emperor in the United Kingdom, the crown commissioned Commiti, the royal clock
maker, to design and build a time piece with an exterior glass shell. Everyone can see clearly the working of the Westminster clock
with the chimes where the clock hammer strike and the organ chime. Every piece of the clock is handmade. The tradition and the
idea of fine workmanship form an incredible art piece that cannot be duplicated. In this case, coupled with its artistic design and
monetary value, luxury effect comes naturally.
Similarly luxurious space design is similar to that of a luxurious product design. In creating a luxurious environment, these
requirements are a must. Starting from the selection of material is an art. In choosing a piece of wood, its colour, substance, grain
and the finish will all contribute to the final result. Many types of wood, because of its substance, color and grain automatically have
been classified as high standard and quality. Personally, I like wood with a refined natural grain. Where the taste lies, culture, history
and the story behind also play an important role. In creating an artistic feel, a tasteful painting on the wall, a careful chosen throw
rug, some casual but well thought out matching process combining furniture, fine wall covering and draperies combined together
may form an unexpected effect. When one sees a fine design, one can almost imagine what the designer is speaking. It is very much like a calligrapher expressing himself
through his penmanship. I place particular emphasis on the designer’s culture background. A designer’s language is just like our daily
communication. At times it is what is not said or between the lines that establishes the speaker’s intellectual level and taste. Designers
with taste are not born, they are cultivated thru experience, appreciation of art and history, quality of life and mature thru time. I
appreciate designers with foresight to invest their time and resources in participation of culture events on a regular basis and to visit
venues of taste and culture. This type of investment will be rewarded thousand times over. When I was a student, within the same
discipline all classmates have the same goal. We all want to visit Europe after graduation. European spending is substantially higher than
that of China. With limited resources, During the trip, we only spent money on bread and espresso to enable us bare minimum funds
to visit the Vatican in Rome, to be absolved in the great arts of Renaissance Age, attend the operatic performance in Parthenon Athens,
Greece. All these invaluable experience enriched my understanding over an array of European culture and provided me with immense
benefits for my future design work. As time passes, I explored more in China and other countries paying special attention on their various
cultures. It is like the famous author Mr. Yu Qiuyu’s books that describes his understanding of various cultures. For a designer, history is like
a wealth of treasures waiting to be tapped. Through understanding of various cultural historical backgrounds, provides the elements for
luxurious design especially from different geographical areas, at different periods and styles. Thru travel and reading, I enjoy Art Nouveau
(1888 – 1905) and the Art Deco (1925 – 1935) periods’ design. When I was at the Mussee D’Orsay in Paris, I saw the Art Nouveau furniture
and interior design. This provided me with more insight on my future design. While during the Art Deco period, as evidenced in New York
Manhattan, there are many buildings with that particular signature. The Art Deco design continues to be present in today architecture,
luxurious interior design and furniture.
Whenever I study any design, I will go deeper from the exterior colours, use of materials, and artistic values to determine how the design
can be incorporated in everyday living. In the beginning, I mentioned that space design must be applied to everyday living. After all, the
ultimate interior design is to provide better service to mankind. Different level of life style could be displayed thru its functional needs.
This is only a partial design. Unfortunately, without it, one cannot raise the level of luxury either. For example, in a fine wine cellar with a
retro 1920’s to 30’s design, with an ambient lighting targeting at a Georgia O’Keeffe Oil , and an insurmountable quantities of fine vintage
wines, coupled with the tools of hand roll cigars from Cuba, enjoying jazz from a grand piano, how sweet is that? Under these environment,
luxury is no longer limited to interior design, but is extended beyond as a form of living quality. This has reached to the senses of sight,
taste and hearing, reach the high levels of life realm.
May I take this opportunity to thank the Huazhong University of Science and Technology Press Co.,Ltd. for inviting me to write the preface
of Extreme Luxury , to share my views on the meaning of ‘Luxury’ and to allow me from a designer’s point of view, share my experience
in the design of a luxurious project. I hope you readers when enjoying reading this book to see beyond the book’s beautiful visual effect,
but to explore and experience the process of luxury design, in future whether working as a designer or simply enjoying life, take on a new
perspective.