Architecture, Interior Design, Residential DesignFlorence LMarch 04, 2025Interior Design, Asia, Shanghai, Apartment Design, Residential Design

PURO APARTMENT || Artful Living in Downtown Shanghai

Architecture, Interior Design, Residential DesignFlorence LMarch 04, 2025Interior Design, Asia, Shanghai, Apartment Design, Residential Design

Why settle for a home that merely houses art when it can be a living, evolving masterpiece?

In the heart of Shanghai, Puro Apartment embodies this philosophy, blurring the lines between living space and gallery. Designed by STUDIO8 Architects, this 260-square-meter residence is a canvas for movement and meaning, where contemporary design, art, and materiality coalesce into a dynamic, ever-evolving experience.

*A dynamic contrast of volcanic rock and stainless steel lends the kitchen an industrial yet refined edge.*

Initially a three-bedroom unit, the apartment underwent a meticulous transformation to embrace openness and fluidity. The master bedroom was reimagined, merging with the living area to form an expansive south-facing space, while the north side now houses a more intimate, private retreat. This deliberate restructuring fosters a free-flowing interplay between everyday life and artistic expression.

*The bespoke Caozitou dining table, crafted with brass, resin, and wood, serves as an artistic anchor for the home.*

At the heart of the home is the Caozitou dining table, an evocative fusion of brass, resin, and solid wood. More than just a gathering point, the table tells a story through its patinated brass surface and light-permeable resin panels, allowing natural illumination to shift with the day. Paired with sculptural armchairs, it anchors conversations, work, and leisurely meals, embodying the owner’s passion for artful living.

A striking Julian Opie painting, "Walking in Hackney.2.2016," presides over the lounge area, its bold, graphic figures echoing the apartment’s ethos of movement and transition. Unlike conventional homes, where art is static, it circulates organically, shifting between walls and corners as part of a living composition. The interplay of textures and materials—volcanic rock juxtaposed with stainless steel in the kitchen or the seabed stone of the entryway bench—further enriches the tactile narrative of the space.

*A striking Julian Opie artwork sets the tone for a space where movement and stillness coexist.*

*Artworks shift throughout the space, creating a dynamic and ever-evolving gallery experience.*

Lighting plays a critical role in heightening the apartment’s immersive quality. Concealed fixtures accentuate architectural elements, while select sculptural light pieces lend warmth and depth, counterbalancing the minimalist aesthetic. The bedroom, a sanctuary of muted textures and curated simplicity, offers a contemplative retreat with a seamless connection to the walk-in closet and spa-like bathroom.

STUDIO8’s design philosophy—curating space as an evolving dialogue between time, function, and aesthetics—is evident in every detail. Their ability to weave together Eastern and Western influences results in a home that feels at once contemporary and timeless. The Puro Apartment is not simply a place to reside but a stage for life’s unfolding narrative, where art, memory, and daily rituals merge into an elegant and poetic whole.