TREE-LINED Yuyuan Road is full of the expected colonial architecture and 1930s Shanghai lanes, but is also a secret area of meticulously restored houses that more and more expat families are calling home.

Judith von Prockl, Yi Ta Chng and their daughter Colette von Prockl-Chng have lived in their four-story lane house on the section between Zhenning Road and Jiangsu Road for three years.

In 1995, Singaporean Chng made the move to Shanghai and he promised his German wife von Prockl "Shanghai is the Paris of the East." The couple have lived in Asia and Europe for many years and they were happy to trade their comfortable way of Parisian living for an exciting new beginning in Shanghai.

Chng runs an innovation consulting company in the city while von Prockl manages her travel business specializing in gourmet holidays, designed for people who love and appreciate food and wine across Europe, US, Asia and Morocco.

It took the couple almost a year to find this 230-square-meter house on Yuyuan Road because they had particular criteria. "I wanted a lane house, and it had to be a corner house because we need light from all three sides," von Prockl said. "The high ceiling was also vital because it gave the sense of space."

When von Prockl first clapped eyes on this four-floor house that sits inside a clean Shanghai lane, she discussed it with her husband and they snapped it up the very same day. They were particularly attracted to this house's old-style architecture, the generous scale of its rooms, the potential for an open-plan space, and glorious views that capture the sprawling Shanghai skyline.

"It was a simple, clean house with 4.5-meter height and enough space for our family. More importantly, it belongs to a nice neighborhood with a communal garden and a lot of green. I really enjoy being surrounded by local neighbors who love to spend time sitting and chatting in the garden," said von Prockl, herself a mixture of laid-back and fast-forward.

"Wherever we live, we prefer a contemporary style but with local influence so you can see in the house we kept all the old features like the original staircase and sourced old bricks from the countryside," she said. "We want it to be bright, comfortable yet modern, with an earthy color scheme."

The couple approached architect Raefer Wallis from A00 to explore the idea of renovating the old lane house to a contemporary, spacious house by giving the ground floor an open layout, with the kitchen area serving as a sort of command center to entertain guests.

When they found Wallis, they felt confident that their list of practical needs could be translated into a beautiful building. And the architect embraced the opportunity to create an interior that would support the family's daily life without interjecting a dominant design concept.

The central living space on the ground floor is wide and airy, with a comfortable sitting area at one side, a dining table at the other, and the cooking zone at one end, next to the front door.

A sun-filled staircase lined with artworks and crafts leads to the upper floors. Here one can find the family's sleeping quarters situated on the second and third floors. The fourth floor was raised to be a livable space where the family gathers for watching TV, playing piano, reading and chatting while a roof-top terrace was built to accommodate small parties when the weather permits.

"We didn't want a traditional, dark lane house thus the patio was enclosed to be a central atrium that floods the space with natural light, illuminating windowless corners that would otherwise be cast in shadows," von Prockl said.

The expanse of existing windows also span the visual space and create views in every direction that taper into trunks and leaves.

The materials of choice for this modern house are original wood, bamboo, terrazzo and grey bricks. "We also wanted to integrate sustainable features and tried to use natural materials that have a low impact on the environment at home," von Prockl said, adding that she grew up in the country where environmental-friendly solutions were very much focused.

"The upper floors are bamboo flooring sourced in China thus we have a gorgeous floor with a conscience. Also with the quality double glass windows and several energy-saving features we are doing our best to be more energy efficient."

Natural bamboo floors and minimalist furnishings creates a tranquil atmosphere, enhanced by the calming color scheme where olive green, beige, brown and white dominate.

The couple wants to keep the clean structure with clean lines. Artworks and antiques they acquired from Russia, the United States and Myanmar are on the walls. The simplicity of the overall design presents no opportunity for conflict with the family's way of life.

Q: What's the best thing about living in Shanghai?

A: One of the best things about living in Shanghai is that every day is an adventure. You never know how the day unfolds and there is always something to discover and learn. Living here also presents an incredible opportunity to meet both locals and people from all over the world. It's a great chance to learn Chinese, gain new perspectives and cultural awareness. And of course there is wonderful food at any time of day!

Q: Describe your home in three words.

A: Warm. Contemporary. Bright.

Q: What's the first thing you do when you get home?

A: Turn on the music and make a great hot chocolate!

Q: How do you unwind?

A: Spending time with our daughter. Cooking in our open kitchen. Playing piano.

Q: Where do you spend most of your time at home?

A: Hmm, there are so many areas, depending on the time of day...

In the mornings, at my office and upstairs where there is great light.

In my daughter's room because it is the most fun and it's filled with laughter.

When it is really cold, on the heated terrazzo floor!

Q: What's the best view outside your window?

A: From every floor we can see onto a cute little square with two beautiful huge trees. The local ladies living in the lane meet there to exercise, knit, chat and enjoy each other's company.

And the view of the city skyline from our "sun room" and roof deck is incredible.

Q: How do you scent your home?

A: Whatever is cooking in the kitchen.

Q: What's your favorite object at home?

A: Some of our art pieces. And a beautiful lacquered Chinese cabinet.

Q: Where do you source furniture in Shanghai?

A: We custom make where possible. There are some great contemporary Chinese designers in the city.

Who is he?

Derek Au is a ceramicist based in Jingdezhen, Jiangxi Province. Recently, Au has been developing a style of slab construction in part inspired by tinware techniques. The result, Planeware, has similarities with tinware and Song Dynasty qingbai ware (which, in turn, was influenced by Tang Dynasty silver and gold ware). For simplicity and efficiency, each piece of Planeware is made up of at most three slabs that are assembled with simple folds, bends and joins. The resulting porcelain greenware is bisqued, sprayed with a celadon glaze, and reduction-fired to 1,310 degrees celsius.

Tell us some of your works and name the one you are most proud of.

I have given my works the name Planeware, because they are all made using thin porcelain slabs with fairly simple geometric shapes. I'm not sure which one I am most proud of, because the work is a continuing series. I view all of the work as a single evolving idea.

"Tin" was the first series of Planeware. These pieces are heavily influenced by tinsmithing, a craft still alive in Jingdezhen. The pieces are based on simple geometric patterns, and are strictly limited to two templates/slabs each.

Song Dynasty Hutian ware was heavily influenced by Tang Dynasty silver and gold ware. These potters often mimicked silver and gold forms and incorporated decorative elements that evoked the metalsmithing craft. The "Hutian" Planeware series was an exploration of the recurring relationship between metal and ceramic craft traditions.

The "Square" series of plates attempt to further reduce and simplify the Planeware technique. A single square template is used, although the square slab may be cut internally in any number of ways.



Are you currently involved with any project?

I am currently developing new work for two exhibitions next year. I am exploring the idea that the templates I use in my work form a kind of language that has certain similarities with written characters and calligraphy. I'm experimenting with writing "templates" directly onto slabs, which means each piece is slightly different and to some extent improvised.



Describe your design style.

The design of an object is in part determined by the way it is made. Each craft technique imposes constraints and reveals new possibilities within those limitations. So, I am interested in using new or reinterpreted craft techniques to discover new possibilities in design.



Where are you most creative?

In my studio in Jingdezhen. Jingdezhen is a living museum of Chinese ceramic history. Dig a hole anywhere in Jingdezhen and you will find layers of ceramic shards, walk on any street and you will find someone making ceramics. This place is a huge source of inspiration for me, and I think it shows in my work.



What does your home mean to you?

It's a bit strange that I make functional work like bowls and cups when I myself don't really have a home. My rented apartment in Jingdezhen is sparsely furnished, and I don't have a place anywhere else. For the time being, my studio is my home. It is where I feel most comfortable and free. Some day I would like to have a house filled with beautiful work from my friends, but right now it's more important to develop my work in the studio and see where it takes me.



What do you collect?

I used to collect old ceramic shards and antiques that can be found in Jingdezhen markets and the surrounding countryside. But I don't really have much space to store a lot of things, so now I just look and enjoy antiques without buying. Now I only collect ceramics that were made and given to me by friends.



Where do you like to go most in Shanghai?

I love good food, but Jingdezhen doesn't have many good restaurants. So my favorite thing to do in Shanghai is to eat wonderful cuisine from all over China, Asia and the West. In my opinion that's the best thing about Shanghai.



What will be the next big design trend?

A renaissance of craft in China. Ancient craft techniques will find new life in the hands of a new generation of artisans, who will begin to define contemporary Chinese craft - not simply by copying antiques, nor by superficially applying Chinese characteristics to Western design concepts, but by fundamentally questioning what craft means within the context of modern Chinese society. A parallel development will occur in the marketplace. As consumers become more affluent and educated, they will search for more meaningful items with which to fill their homes.