Excerpt: Hoormem by Cun Panda Nana is an interior design project that aims to create an aesthetic space that is soft, transparent, and full of vitality. NANA is looking forward to illustrating the brand slogan lighten the moment for skin with the design language of organic and natural rather than copying natural beauty and creating a therapeutic space with aroma that helps people awaken inner peace and beauty.
Project Description
[Text as submitted by architect] Hoormem Muscle Research Aesthetics Centre is located in Zhangzhou, Fujian, with the aim of creating a soft and healing place in the cold and harsh city. It warmly welcomes white-collar workers to step in, put masks and armours down, and get back to heir bodies. CUN PANDA remodels the whole brand vision, presenting an aesthetic space that is softer, more transparent, and full of vitality.
Inspired by the concept of “the softness of the body” introduced by Austrian designer and architect Horst Rittel, who once said, “Softness, as an expression of aesthetic, has the power to improve our lives.” NANA translates this idea into its spatial design.
Plasticity can be organic. Softness enhances the flexibility of the body, which enables one to deal with different environments in a gentle way by presenting different postures. At the Hoormem Muscle Research Aesthetics Centre, softness is perceived from the exterior facade of the space.
The airtight exterior facade distinguishes Hoormem from other commercial spaces. The entire wall is covered with large areas of milky white textured marble veneer, with arched lines on the wall that serve as golden metal openings, which not only enhance the richness of the facade but also serve as a gentle guide, inviting people to explore the space.
Stepping inside, a distinct angular block is almost invisible; on the other hand, your eyes are feasting on a delightful display of delicate curves. The opening, round and smooth, resembles bubbles and organically connects various areas of the space.
Connection can be flexible. The gentle sense of hand clasping connects hearts and minds physically and spiritually, bringing a sense of tranquilly and serenity. The central “symbol”, a clear presence, vertically spans across the two levels of the space. This top-to-bottom connectivity creates a shared spatial sequence within the originally enclosed space, making people feel closer and more relaxed in their surroundings.
The yellowish glow that permeates through washi paper offers a soft visual experience and conveys a gentle and relaxed ambiance.
The second level showed itself by following the illuminated handrail. The second level is not an enclosed and isolated area but rather a corridor that connects different spaces. Standing on the corridor, one can gaze at the spaces on the first level from various angles, experiencing a sense of both independence and intimacy in the spatial relationship.
Life force can be soft and organic. Softness doesn’t mean weakness; rather, it’s a kind of life force featured in organic. With its flexibility and connectivity, softness triumphs over rigid hardness and a sense of order, unleashing power and magnificent force. It ignites a desire for change and fuels the pursuit of beauty and innovation.
As the renowned architect Frank Owen Gehry said, “Curves are not a lack of strength or determination, but a stunning display of strength and determination.”
NANA is looking forward to illustrating the brand slogan lighten the moment for skin with the design language of organic and natural rather than copying natural beauty and creating a therapeutic space with aroma that helps people awaken inner peace and beauty.
In terms of lighting design, Panda NANA employs the same transition as in space. Instead of directly illuminating specific areas, the lighting gently guides people’s vision through a restrained use of ambient lighting. Lines have replaced focal points; thus, the contours of the space are outlined by the overall lighting.
Two-dimensional visual transformation: A brand’s visual identity is based on the brand attribute and the creation of a three-dimensional space. Panda NANA integrates “lighten the moment for skin” with the language of softness in three-dimensional space, resulting in a successful two-dimensional visual transformation.
“Hoormem” adopts a serif with delicate curves or straight lines, giving letters an artistic sense of classic and elegant elegance. Just as light serves as an essential embellishment in three-dimensional space, the design of Chinese characters also follows the same principle.
Both two-dimensional graphic design and three-dimensional spatial design serve as visual expressions of Hoormem. Panda NANA employs an artistic design language to narrate the intangible brand attributes, thus assisting Hoormem in presenting a stronger brand image and delivering greater brand value. A more recognisable brand is more likely to capture commercial attention and drive conversion.
Lighting: This is a dialogue with the inner self, allowing a sense of vitality and gentleness to flow into the heart. The display system of Hoormem is created by combining light, health, and art.
The arch door at the facade takes advantage of the reflection of the light on the ground, enhancing the three-dimensional texture of the art coating. Six groups of eccentric circles are layered and stacked. Light circulating both inside and outside; thus, a graceful and dynamic aesthetic effect is created. The reception area employs a technique of low brightness and low colour temperature, creating a soft and warm lighting atmosphere. In the display area, the features of the products are highlighted with focused illumination.
The ground floor was installed with light columns. Its dual-colour temperature light is programmed to change between cold and warm over time. This represents the theme of the brand: renewal and layering. The size of the pillar base varies, with translucent internal frameworks. Each layer needs to be consistent with the size of the pillar to ensure that the brightness emitted from each surface remains the same.
The triangular soft-film skylights on the ceiling elevate the height of the installation, allowing the light to disperse fully and evenly before merging and reaching the ground, resembling a gentle ray of sunlight filtered through a sheer curtain.
The ambient lighting of the water curtain wall by the staircase is changing with various colours, which has different effects on emotions and psychology. The water curtain area is illuminated with modulated orange lights, resembling the glow of the sunrise. Visually, the overused grey contrasts against the bright colours, such as orange, inviting customers to pause and linger for a while.
Multiple low, medium, and high-level light strips are used strategically in the spa rooms to avoid the glare caused by direct lighting. The texture of the walls is designed to redistribute light through diffused reflection. The rooms are equipped with a wireless smart system that allows for customised programming of welcome, treatment, shower, and cleaning modes, catering to different needs and requirements.
The lighting design of the disinfection room followed the principle of health. At night, blue light disinfection mode can be activated while maintaining normal colour temperature and brightness. Indeed, how to optimise functionality, how to create an atmosphere, and how to introduce visual differentiation are all aspects that brands should think over.
Moss Installation, location: side area of lobby: The vibrant atmosphere of the enormous moss installation, like an oasis, evokes a sense of closeness to nature. It not only provides visual pleasure but also focuses on sensory stimulation. The gentle touch of the moss and the mysterious fragrance permeate between the nose and mouth, creating a symphony of smell and taste. The harmonious interplay of light and shadow allows customers to indulge in a comprehensive sensory experience, as if they are immersed in a mysterious and enchanting world full of green.
Light Island, location: centre of the lobby: Due to light, five senses are activated within a space. Light Island will serve as a beacon, guiding people to step away from the bustling city and delve into their innermost selves. It will lead every visitor through the noise and stress, helping them find tranquility and thus heal the heart.
“Light Island” utilises the rhythm of gradient breathing lights, resembling a gentle breath, allowing people to experience the natural rhythms. The exterior of the light columns is covered in softly textured washi paper, and warm light gradually ascends from the base of the columns, as if a warm breeze gently brushes across the face, evoking a sense of tranquility and peace. The soothing changes in light and shadow have the power to heal the soul. Here, people can sit or lie down, close their eyes, and fully experience the healing effects of the “healing light.” Accompanied by healing music synchronised with the rhythm of the breathing lights, individuals are brought into a realm of tranquility.
An Ethereal Mirror, location: waterfall wall: The concept draws inspiration from the enchanting beauty of flowing water. The material endowed the mirror with a flowing luster. The interplay of light and shadow infuses vitality into the space, while the skillful use of lighting enhances the sense of mystery within the installation. The ethereal atmosphere invites customers into a heavenly wonderland.
The white noise of flowing water creates a harmonious and serene atmosphere for customers, allowing them to immerse themselves in the therapy and forget the hustle and bustle of the city.
A forest for healing, location: SPA rooms: The curved mountain and tranquil forest evoke a sense of innate connection to nature. Inspired by nature and integrated into “natural” aesthetics (referring to natural aesthetics in the context of beauty and wellness), they are artistically expressed through abstract natural curves at the entrance of the healing space. It is as if you are entering a secluded path where the Zen room and lush flowers and trees reside. The entrance to the forest is partially concealed, guiding visitors to experience an ambiance that helps them forget worries and annoyances.
Turn stone into gold by touching; location: the bar at the entrance: “Stone”, an inseparable part of the world, witnesses the flow of time in the process of evolution. Gold, a chemical element that has been endowed with realistic meaning in the process of civilization, is portrayed on the stone in an artistic manner. The surface is meticulously polished to leave the skin feeling smooth, as if touching a real one. The smooth and warm feeling of gold and the cool and solid feeling of stone form a contrast, as if you are setting by the creek, feeling the eternal beauty of nature.
Ancient tones, location: Ōryōki at the entrance: In the pursuit of the highest level of artistic emotional expression, there is a saying, “The greatest sound is silence, and the greatest form is formless.” The prototype of the healing instrument “Ōryōki” at the entrance is eight trigrams in the Book of Changes (Yijing).
The core of Yin and Yang and the spiritual essence of Hoormem unintentionally achieve profound harmony within the space. The inner noise is purified when skin touches the objects, relaxing the body and mind instantly. The deep spiritual connotations hidden within the minimalist form guide individuals to transcend mere forms and experience inner peace and the vastness of the universe.
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