Design as Perception, Structure, and Poetics

an insightful conversation with T Studio Founders

Cai Jingxia & Tan Zhuo

Across cultures and generations, designers continue to revisit a central question: how space is experienced by the people who inhabit it.

For IFI Member T Studio, based in Shanghai and founded by Cai Jingxia and Tan Zhuo, this inquiry is framed by two complementary principles guiding their practice: PRP (Perception · Rationality · Poetics) and LPC (Logic · Paradox · Context).

Rather than pursuing stylistic language, the studio investigates the relationship between human perception and spatial logic. Rational structure, circulation, and proportion establish order, while light, material, and atmosphere shape the emotional register of space. A distinctive aspect of their thinking lies in the idea of paradox, the productive tension between opposing qualities that allows a space to feel simultaneously restrained and expressive, measured yet quietly unexpected. Their projects reflect these sensibilities.

Fragmented spatial compositions and layered geometries reveal themselves gradually as one moves within the interior, allowing light, scale, and material presence to articulate the experience of time in space. Perception and structure operate in balance, creating environments that feel both inevitable and subtly surprising.

Underlying this work is a belief shared by thoughtful practitioners worldwide: design is not only about form but about how environments support daily life, emotion, and cultural belonging. Decisions regarding scale, light, circulation, and materiality shape atmospheres capable of offering calm, connection, and moments of quiet reflection within the complexity of contemporary urban life.

IFI, the International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers, underscores the importance of this orientation. Beyond stylistic cycles and shifting trends, the built environment carries a lasting responsibility to support human behavior, wellness, and cultural continuity. By highlighting practices such as T Studio, IFI continues to engage a worldwide design community in examining how spatial order, sensory perception, and cultural meaning intersect in the spaces we inhabit.

With inspiration,

IFI – International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers

“Your TOSCANA Shanghai project explores the idea of fragmented space, layered geometry and poetic expression of time through light and material. How does this project reflect the broader design philosophy guiding T Studio’s work?”

Tan Zhuo:

TOSCANA” embodies many core principles of TStudio’s overall design philosophy. In our work, we typically begin with perception, experiencing space through materials, light, and scale – not just visually, but also through touch, feeling, and temperature. The composition of space is always built upon a rational framework; circulation, proportion, and structure constitute the logic of the space. This balance between perception and rational structure is closely related to my LPC (Logic, Paradox, Context) principles and Cai Jingxia’s PRP principle (Perception, Rationality, and Poetry).

The LPC design philosophy focuses on the ideological structure of space: establishing its internal logic through rational order, the unity of opposites, and responsiveness to context. The PRP methodology focuses on the perception and experience of space: exploring the emotional connection between people and space through the five senses, rationality, and poetry. These two perspectives intertwine, giving the space both a clear and restrained structure, and an expression of warmth, emotion, and poetry.

“As a practice based in Shanghai with projects across different regions, how do you navigate the balance between local cultural specificity and an international design language in your architecture and interiors?”

Cai Jingxia:

In specific projects, we typically begin by comprehensively understanding the local environmental conditions, including climate, latitude, lighting, and materials adapted to the local environment. These objective conditions directly impact the space.

Simultaneously, we also understand the local lifestyle and people’s daily habits and needs in using space. This is because space is not merely a physical structure; it is also a medium for interaction between people and their environment. Only with a sufficient understanding of these factors can design truly respond to the local environment and way of life.

While there are differences in culture, lifestyle, and aesthetic habits across different regions, the fundamental needs and logic of design are actually universal. Regardless of location, people’s needs for comfort, spatial order, lighting, and the overall spatial experience are universal.

Materials, proportions, scale, spatial rhythm, and lighting are all principles that can be understood and accepted across different cultural backgrounds. They constitute a universal spatial language and a fundamental design logic that transcends regional differences. Therefore, in our view, architecture and interior design are unique languages that can communicate across cultural and geographical boundaries. Through space, people can establish common understanding and feelings across different cultures.

“Many design leaders today speak about the responsibility of the built environment in shaping human experience. From your perspective, what role should architects and designers play in improving the quality of life in cities and communities today?”

T Studio:

Space has a crucial impact on people. It’s not merely a physical environment; it conveys emotions and influences feelings and states of mind. One of the meanings of design is to allow space to convey warmth and beauty to its users.

Furthermore, our spatial decisions, though seemingly subtle, are extremely important. Light, the proportions and scale of the space, the texture and warmth of materials, and the rationality of circulation all affect the space and the spatial experience it provides.

Therefore, architects and designers bear a seemingly ordinary yet profound responsibility. It involves not only considering formal expression but also how space serves daily life and needs. A good, warm space can bring comfort, tranquility, poetry, and beauty. When these factors combine, architecture and space transcend the realm of mere functionality. Space becomes a place where people can feel connected, intimately linked to their daily lives.

“Your projects demonstrate a careful balance between form, material, and spatial experience. What are the core principles or values that consistently guide your design process regardless of project scale or location?”

T Studio:

Although the circumstances and locations of each of our projects differ, our design principles consistently permeate our entire design process.

First is the perception of space. People experience a space through first-person perspectives, considering spatial flow, light, materials, and visual effects. Materials are not merely visual; they are tangible entities that can be touched and perceived.

Then comes the rational logic of space. This involves logic, structural thinking, and cognition. It requires designers not only to possess rational thinking but also solid professional skills. It is the cornerstone for a space to be truly usable and sustainable.

TanZhuo’s design philosophy (LPC: Logic, Paradox, Context) complements Cai Jingxia’s spatial experience framework (PRP: Perception, Rationality, Poetics).

The former focuses on how space is created: establishing the thought and order of space through rational spatial structure, the unified tension of contradictions in design, and responses to environmental and cultural contexts.

The latter focuses on how space is perceived: constructing a delicate and complete experiential relationship between people and space from three dimensions: five-sense experience, rational logic, and emotional poetry.

The two work together to achieve a balance, while the design techniques emphasize the restraint and clarity of the space. These methods are used to make the space show depth, so that Tstudio’s works allow users to feel warmth, poetry and beauty in this space.