London Design Gold

2025

“The Veil” City Lounge

Entrant Company

Groundwork architects & associates Ltd.

Category

Architectural Design - Landmarks, Symbolic Structures

Client's Name

Shum Yip Taifu Logistics Group Holdings Co. Ltd

Country / Region

China

"The Veil" City Lounge in Sungang, Shenzhen, is a minimalist, introverted structure designed to contrast with its rugged, masculine surroundings by offering a feminine, inviting atmosphere. The space embodies a sense of discovery, encouraging visitors to explore Sungang’s essence through a journey that plays with light, texture, and the duality of yin and yang.

A key design feature is the interplay of natural and artificial light, which filters through roof windows and trellises, casting a soft, hazy glow reminiscent of a veil. This dynamic lighting enhances spatial perception, evoking the passage of time. Visitors are guided through contrasting zones—bright, open areas and darker, enclosed spaces—symbolizing the balance between yin (introspection) and yang (connection). A curved staircase acts as a transitional threshold, leading guests into new "scenes," much like a theatrical performance.

The lounge’s fluid architecture eliminates rigid corners, using gracefully curved walls inspired by the soft drape of a veil. This design ensures seamless movement while dissolving boundaries between architecture, nature, and human interaction. Delicate, veil-like ceiling decorations add lightness, reinforcing the building’s ethereal aesthetic.

Externally, the structure appears semi-transparent, with special glass and LED projections creating a dreamlike, surreal effect at night. The façade allows glimpses of interior activity, enhancing the sense of mystery. The lounge’s abrupt contrast with its industrial surroundings further emphasizes its unique beauty.

Functionally, the space balances social (yang) and solitary (yin) zones, accommodating both connection and retreat. Through thoughtful lighting, spatial sequencing, and organic forms, the lounge fosters an inclusive, meditative experience, blending elegance with its robust urban context. Ultimately, "The Veil" offers a transformative escape, where visitors engage with contrasts—light and shadow, movement and stillness—in a harmonious, almost poetic environment.

Credits

Groundwork architects & associates Ltd.
Manfred Yuen
Groundwork architects & associates Ltd.
Bao Jing
Groundwork architects & associates Ltd.
He Zhenzhen
Groundwork architects & associates Ltd.
Li Qiuling
Groundwork architects & associates Ltd.
Yang Weiming
Groundwork architects & associates Ltd.
Gao Hang
Groundwork architects & associates Ltd.
Hu Qian
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