House of Wang has launched its flagship showroom designed by architecture studio SlowStudio and Dramaa that will provide a unique platform to showcase 13 global contemporary designer brands and artists.

The new showroom is located in a dynamic heritage neighbourhood in central Bejing, Baofang Hutong, which has now become a vibrant art and cultural district. Baofang Hutong, has an interesting history. Once an enclosure for feeding leopards (pronounced ‘bao’ in Mandarin) for the amusement of royals of the Ming dynasty, it then became an Imperial printing house for the emperor’s decrees (also pronounced ‘bao’) in the Qing dynasty. Now in 2020 the neighbourhood is home to artists, galleries and all manner of cultural activity and is a must visit destination for locals and visitors alike.

Designed within a courtyard house, the showroom is at home in its surrounds and the scene is set for an exceptional retail experience where traditional meets modern. The House of Wang is set to become a destination for lovers of fine furnishings, objet and art and aims to present a curated collection of design objects that span Chinese and Western aesthetics but also offers a new perspective and artistic representation.

The interior design of the premise incorporates timber and glass juxtaposed by modern industrial craft and traditional handmade elements. There were challenges to the build, such as, providing light to the basement and to best display lighting; in the first instance the designers included a skylight to filter natural light into the subterranean level; while in the second, they incorporated white Carrara marble to display the collection of pendant lamps that require a defused illumination.

House of Wang is the brainchild of Ruby Ren and Eric Wang, both native to Beijing. Ren grew up in a Hutong and having lived abroad for many years returned to her home city with a desire to connect back to her culture. Establishing the House of Wang in Baofang Hutong sees her come full circle and also indulging her love of design with co-founder Wang.

House of Wang is set to become a leading protagonist for design, art and furnishings in Beijing and beyond. 

What sets House of Wang apart are the brands and collections that will be available. Each product has been chosen for its timelessness and good taste that transcend trends. The search for unique offerings has been a global endeavor and there have been many conversations with Australian designers and object makers with the aim to include the best in the portfolio next year.

At the moment there will be products from such companies as Apparatus and Calico Wallpaper from the US; Sé Collection, Ochre, Bethan Gray, Lee Broom and 1882 Ltd from the UK; Nada Debs, Lebanon, Paola C, Italy, Omar Khan Rugs, Malaysia, Alexa Lixfield, Czech Republic, Corine Van Voorbergen and Peter Yuill, a Canadian artist based in Hong Kong.

Brand ambassador for the House of Wang, Ross Urwin says of the project, “We have been working on launching this incredible portfolio of international brands into the China market for more than 12 months and are extremely pleased to announce the launch of this Beijing showroom.”

As a one stop shop for interior designers, architects, developers and savvy design aficionados. Urwin commented further, “ The House of Wang will showcase exhibits, hold workshops for local and international brands and, through its passion towards craftsmanship and culture, hopes to create collaborations between Chinese designers and Western designers and craftspeople. We also look forward to providing a selection of International interior designers that we want to introduce to the China market.” 

As the first of many showrooms on the drawing board for the future, the House of Wang showroom in Beijing is set to make a name for itself and become a leading protagonist for design, art and furnishings in the city and beyond. With style and sensitivity to culture, place and people, House of Wang is certain to be a resounding success.

House of Wang will be exhibiting at Design Shanghai 26 – 29 November 2020 where Ross Urwin is also co-director.

Photography by Zhuhai