Central City Apartment by X-ZOO Design: A Multifunctional Living Playground in Shenzhen

In the heart of Shenzhen, X-ZOO Design reimagines apartment living with the Central City Apartment—a transformative 80-square-meter space that dissolves the traditional boundaries between home, work, and leisure. Designed for a client who is both an artist and a successful medical entrepreneur, the project masterfully blends flexibility, creativity, and function into a vibrant, adaptive interior.

A Vision of Freedom and Flexibility

“Open space provides freedom of growth and opportunity for new possibilities,” explain designers Margie and Xinru of X-ZOO Design. This philosophy shaped the apartment’s concept: a living environment that seamlessly transitions between work mode and downtime, formal meetings and playful gatherings, solitude and social interaction.

To bring this vision to life, the design duo removed existing walls and partitions, opening up the entire floor plan. The result is a light-filled, continuous spatial experience, where floor-to-ceiling windows frame panoramic views and amplify natural daylight, enhancing the sense of openness and serenity.

Spatial Design: Boundless and Adaptive

At the core of this renovation is a commitment to spatial fluidity. Flexible wooden partitions subtly separate and define scenarios without enclosing them. Sliding panels enable the user to reshape the layout based on daily needs, reflecting the homeowner’s multifaceted lifestyle.

The color palette is calm and inviting—soft pastels interspersed with gentle blues evoke tranquility and provide visual balance. Accents of natural wood textures and metal detailing introduce playful contrasts, hinting at the unexpected pleasures of daily life.

Interactive Furniture as Spatial Anchors

The furniture in the apartment isn’t just functional—it’s transformative. Designed with mobility and interaction in mind, key pieces are mounted on wheels, hinges, and springs, allowing for effortless adaptability. The centerpiece is a custom-built ping-pong table, doubling as a meeting table and solo workstation. Crafted from unique wood veneer and topped with a dyed leather net, this playful yet elegant piece embodies the blend of work and leisure.

Other furnishings follow the same ethos: convertible sofa beds, movable tea tables, integrated storage solutions, and concealed bathrooms combine to support a lifestyle that values both structure and spontaneity.

A Home that Inspires and Plays

“Here, there’s a joy like entering a childhood playground,” the designers note. This sentiment permeates every corner of the apartment. The open design encourages interaction—not only between people, but between occupants and the space itself. The layout invites users to experiment, collaborate, relax, and create.

The high-rise location enhances this experience. Sunlight pours through vast glazing, bouncing off reflective surfaces and soft materials. Views stretch across the cityscape, giving the modest floor area a grand sense of scale. Rather than impose a rigid structure, the space is treated as an evolving canvas for living.

Design as a Lifestyle Catalyst

With the Central City Apartment, X-ZOO Design challenges conventions of domestic space, presenting a new model for urban interiors—one that’s adaptable, interactive, and deeply personal. By prioritizing movement, flexibility, and emotional connection, the designers have created not just a home, but a dynamic lifestyle environment.

This project is a testament to how architecture and interior design can go beyond aesthetics to actively shape experience—encouraging productivity, creativity, and joy in everyday living.

Project Details

• Project Name: Central City Apartment
• Location: Shenzhen, China
• Design Firm: X-ZOO Design
• Lead Designers: Margie & Xinru
• Area: 80 m²
• Year Completed: 2023
• Photography: Sicong Sui