This exhibition hall infuses the historic essence of that turbulent age into an interplay between light and shadow, breathing life into this finely-sculpted, gleaming gem frozen in time. Its grand entrance reinterprets the traditional Chinese pavilion into a sublime wooden tone framed behind pearly marble walls, and this elegant, natural colour scheme echoes throughout its interiors.

Visitors are first welcomed through a reception area with an asymmetric table and its notably high ceiling, which allows a generous flow of natural light to guide their eyes towards the floor-length installation. Inside this airy grand hall there is a unique aura of early Republican-Era architecture, where traditional Chinese aesthetics meets Western classicism.

At the lounge area, the crafted accent wall continues with decorative timber niches and dazzles with enriched texture further in, a labyrinth pattern emerges and enwraps the ceiling as well. Sofa chairs are fitted under the timber ceiling – perfect seats to gather and take in both greeneries outside and glistening interiors, which at different times of the day appearing vibrant and translucent, and others tranquil and refreshing.

A further line-up of art pieces, including sculptures on podiums, also jazzes up this layered experience of refinement and subtle elegance.