Design
Fashion Meets Function in Deji Plaza's Latest Washroom Design by X+Living

In the bustling heart of Nanjing, the 3rd-floor washrooms of Deji Plaza Phase 2 have been transformed into an immersive design experience. Moving beyond mere utility, design firm X+Living has masterfully woven together the worlds of high fashion and architectural aesthetics, creating an environment that redefines luxury from the ground up

The core of this innovative design lies in the concept of "weaving" a metaphor that permeates every detail, from the grand architectural gestures to the most subtle material choices. X+Living's lead designer Li Xiang and her team envisioned this space as a dynamic interplay where the delicate textures and precise compositions of fashion translate into a three-dimensional narrative. This isn't just a washroom; it's an "experimental field where fashion and architecture coexist," bound by shared principles of proportion and human-scale frameworks.

Just as clothing acts as our "second skin," and architecture our "third," this space creates a seamless dialogue between the two. Classic fashion prints like sophisticated houndstooth and timeless black-and-white checks are not just patterns; they are integrated into the very fabric of the design, covering surfaces and traversing floors, walls, and ceilings in varying scales. This interplay of lines and planes creates a captivating visual rhythm, enhancing the space's three-dimensionality and conveying high fashion's inherent sophistication through a concise geometric language.

Materiality plays a crucial role in this tactile narrative, mirroring the layered tactility found in couture. The sleek, rational order of hard surfaces, like polished marble and elegant lacquer panels, provides a striking contrast to the inviting, sensory touch of soft furnishings. Crisp black-and-white checks delineate contours on these hard surfaces, while custom-designed seating upholstered in soft leather mimics the nuanced textures of weaving, softening the architectural lines and enveloping visitors in comfort.

The foundational palette of black and white exudes an elegant luxury, subtly accented with champagne gold elements that gleam with a refined luster. This sophisticated combination not only evokes the polished essence of haute couture but also adds depth and layering to the space.

Attention to detail, a hallmark of haute couture workshops, is evident throughout. Functional elements are elevated into artistic statements: the signage system, abstracted from a clothes hanger, adds a playful yet chic touch, guiding visitors with a hint of humor. Above the washbasins, custom top lights, elegantly shaped like hats, cast graceful light and shadow, transforming utilitarian lighting into a nod to a high-fashion studio's creative atmosphere.

Just as both fashion and space use human-scale objects to convey identity and emotion, the Deji Plaza washrooms are "tailor-made," rejecting standardization in favor of a unique narrative. X+Living has crafted a public space that poetically envelops the body, offering a highly innovative and perceptually rich experience—a true testament to the power of design to elevate the everyday into the extraordinary.

Words: Sphere Editorial
Photos: SFAP
Published on August 18, 2025