Artists' Apartment in Hohhot, Mongolia by NA-DECO

Probably better known for its association with great warriors and characters like Genghis Khan, Mongolia, once a sprawling empire, has been relatively quiet over the last few centuries – specifically on the architectural front. But all that’s about to change. The truth is, Mongolia has a layered history in both art and architecture. Under Khan’s rule, Mongolia became the largest contiguous empire in history and the Mongol Khans became great patrons of the arts, supporting artisans, architects, stone carvers and artists. Genghis Khan as it turns out, was not just skilled at battle but he evolved his country into a powerhouse of fine arts.

The thing is we haven’t heard much from Mongolia since about the 13th century. Well, get ready. You’re about to hear about it now.

Once you understand the artistic past of Mongolia, it becomes rapidly more clear as to why the owners of this apartment, both artists themselves, have such a deep respect and love for their culture. Their brief to NA-DECO, a Nanjing based interior design studio in China, was that the renovation was to resonate with Mongolian culture and that minimal changes be made to the original 132 square metre apartment.

NA-DECO, founded by Zhang Yufan and Ha Da in 2015, are known for re-interpreting old and new, avoiding conventionality that is often called Eastern. “Eastern design is not necessarily quiet and pure, it can be sexy and intriguing,” they said.

The apartment, in Hohhot City, in the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region of China, is pretty sexy. Very sexy. Just take one long look at the shimmering gold curved walls for starters. Whilst the addition of the golden tiled walls gives the space a lux hotel lobby feel, it is in every way expressing a long-held Eastern tradition of simplicity teamed with the most highly esteemed of metals – gold.

The three shimmering curved walls are a nod to the work of Richard Serra an American minimalist sculptor known for working with large-scale assemblies of sheet metal. The walls act as a division within the space as well as giving the room a nod to the once grand Mongolian Empire.

Patterning isa rich theme within the space, from the vintage soft grey floor tiles that run throughout the apartment to the detailed patterning on the white doors.

Some of the art collection and sculptures the owners have collected over the years are also on display. Everything from their own creations to those of others. It’s a beautifully curated blend of old and new, both of the art and the furniture and in no small measure to the history of future of Mongolia.