Page 6 - Original Happiness

Original Happiness
幸福的初衷
There are two things that can make a home timeless: a touch of history, and a hint of the future.Ñ Charlotte Moss
Fontana di Trevi (as featured in the lm Roman Holiday) is an all time favorite. With eyes squinted, the
street scene around the fountain gradually faded into black and white, as everything turned into a
monochromatic lm. In a sweet and leisurely afternoon of Southern Europe, I sat in front of a gelato
parlor licking on a delicious wine infused gelato. Suddenly, a Vespa soared by accompanied by an
enchanting girl with an adorable laugh, and sure enough, the charm of Audrey Hepburn the captivated
the entire space. As time and space shu ed amidst subdued hues and that of black and white, a sense
of happiness seemed to have been frozen in time. As centuries pass, people' s hopes for happiness
seem to carry a ring of similarity. With wishes made centuries ago and also today resonating in familiar
tones, perhaps a smile could be spotted on the face of Neptune in the Trevi fountain , as he listens to
people' s hopes and prayers. Come to think of it, perhaps our yearnings for joy may not be so di erent
after all. This sense of genuineness surpasses time and space. It doesn't' t take hundreds of years, and in
a decade' s time, would I still be able to sit by the side of my love one and feel the same emotions, as we
share a gelato by the same Trevi Fountain , with Neptune as our witness. Could our hearts remain the
same, as we surpass time and hold on to our original happiness.
I look forward to that moment as a coin is tossed into the fountain, and I eagerly reserve for another
decade of happiness. I hope as I continue to work in architecture and to complete other people's
dreams for homes that there will be a hint of the future, a happiness future.
In 2003, alone except for a massive , I embarked on a journey to Lisbon for a symposium. My laptop
computer at that time was slow and cumbersome, and the adapters and photography devices were
also tremendously weighty as well. As nally reached Lisbon after a few transfers, I was emotionally
hanging on just by a thread. While looking for a hotel on Central Road, waves of emotional sentiments
came crashing inside of me, as I became overwhelmed by loneliness while on the road. The feeling
of lonesomeness is often emphasized when one takes a journey in solitude, and as I stood in that
magni cent historical street, my heart yearned for the consolation of my home.
Because I travel quite frequently, I am now more aware of the "heaviness" and "lightness" of being,
and have learned to treasure the moment, the details of life, the time spent sitting side-by-side, or the
gentle carefree sounds of children playing. I hope to capture hints of happiness and imprint them in
architecture, and for them to act as constant reminders of the "Original Happiness" and to transform
that initial thought into a great supportive strength for a blissfully happy family.
We hope to incorporate lifestyle into the architecture and to bring invigorating energy to people as