This project was a special one—it was the first home of my longtime friend Fuwa, located in Xi’an. We’ve known each other since high school, and she has always had a soft spot for Japanese-style interiors and natural materials. During our initial conversation, she told me with complete trust: “I only have one request—lots of storage space, and a wardrobe big enough for all my oversized costumes(for cosplay and lolita dress).”

Aside from these basic requirements, she entrusted me with nearly all of the design decisions. That level of trust allowed me to work with greater creative freedom, and gave me the opportunity to experience what I consider an ideal and efficient collaboration between designer and client—especially in a residential project.

这是我为多年来的好友软软（Fuwa）设计的住宅，她在西安的第一套自住房。我们从高中就认识，她一直偏爱日式空间的布局和材质质感。在项目初期的沟通中，她对我表达了完全的信任，说：“我只有一个要求，就是要有很大的储物空间，还有一个能放下我所有大尺寸衣服（她有很多cosplay服装和lolita裙子）的大衣柜。”

除了这些基本需求，她几乎将所有设计决策都放心地交给了我。这份信任让我在设计过程中能够更自由地发挥，也让我有更多机会去体会在住宅项目种设计师与客户之间最理想且高效的合作模式。

At the start of the project, I was still in my second year of graduate school in New York, so the entire design process had to be managed remotely. On one hand, I had to rely on Fuwa to communicate with the apartment management and contractors to obtain approvals for wall modifications and plumbing/electrical adjustments. On the other, I continuously revised the schematic design based on updates from the site.

It was a challenging process—there was a 12-hour time difference between us, and we were both occupied with work or school during the day. Yet through efficient communication and mutual trust, we were able to complete the entire design phase within two months, including the layout planning, material and furniture selection, perspectives, as well as a full set of construction drawings and documentation.

项目开始时，我还在纽约读研二，只能远程推进整个设计流程。一方面要拜托软软协助与公寓物业及施工方沟通，申请墙体拆改和水电改造的相关许可；另一方面，我也不断根据现场情况调整草图方案。过程相当艰难——我们之间有12小时的时差，而且白天各自都忙于工作和课业。但我们凭借高效的沟通和彼此的高度信任，在这样有限的条件下，顺利在两个月内完成了整个设计阶段，包括设计，选材与家具方案，效果图以及整套的施工图绘制和交付。

At the beginning of construction, Fuwa and her family worked extremely hard to communicate and negotiate with the contractors. As the project progressed on site, the construction team also pointed out several issues in the original design that were either impractical or difficult to implement. After finishing my finals, I returned to Xi’an for the summer and began making frequent site visits. Together with Fuwa and the contractors, we worked through many real-world problems and technical challenges.

Toward the end of construction, we selected the main pieces of furniture together. The entire process—though full of unexpected turns—was also filled with meaningful moments. It was a memorable journey for both of us, not only in building a home, but also in creating shared memories throughout the experience.

施工刚开始时，软软和她的家人非常辛苦地与施工方进行沟通与协调。随着现场推进，施工方也指出了不少设计中存在的不合理之处以及难以实际落地的细节。期末结束后，我在暑假回到西安，开始频繁前往现场勘察，并与软软以及施工方一同面对并解决了许多现实问题与技术挑战。

在施工收尾阶段，我们还一起挑选了主要的家具。这整个过程既充满了波折，也充满了乐趣，对我们来说都是一段难忘的经历，不仅完成了一个家，也留下了属于我们之间的共同记忆。