Yu Fen Lee Receives the A' Design Award for Ripple Residence in Interior Space and Exhibition Design

The Work

Project

Ripple Residence

Function

Residence

Category

Interior Space and Exhibition Design

Discipline

Spatial Design

Industry

Architecture and Packaging & Retail

Colors

Dark Slate Gray, Dim Gray, Gray, Dark Olive Green and Rosy Brown

Images

5

Client

Yujian.studio

The Recognition

Laureate

Yu Fen Lee

Country

Taiwan (China)

Recognition

A' Design Award

Edition

2025 - 2026

Design ID

#174339

Credits

Team

Yu-Fen Lee

Image Credits

Yujian.studio

Design Details

Unique Properties

To resolve low ceilings and beams, a wave-like ceiling flows through the living and dining areas, softening the structure and extending light to heighten perception. The original four bedrooms became three, adding a flexible guest/dressing room and improving flow. A digital photo frame at the dining entry displays daily moments as a warm highlight. The kitchen connects to the entrance closet with a curved glass wall, while concealed storage and double-sided cabinetry ensure continuity. In the master bedroom, a hidden cabinet door integrates acoustic panels and access, uniting function with wabi-sabi refinement.

Inspiration

This project is located in Zhubei, Hsinchu County, and was designed for a young couple soon to be married. Due to restrictions on layout customization, the original configuration was somewhat rigid and constrictive. The design approach was to 'create the greatest flexibility within limitations.' Drawing from the wife's preference for milky brown toned wabi-sabi style and the husband's demand for functionality, the design integrates smart home features, lighting guidance, and optimized circulation to create a refined home that balances thoughtful detailing, functionality, and aesthetics.

Research

This 87.5-square-meter Zhubei apartment, faced with fixed layouts and ceiling limits, yet the design reimagined the flow and comfort. Wave-like ceilings soften beams and guide light, while a curved glass wall links the kitchen and entrance closets, enhancing openness and interaction. Concealed storage in double-sided cabinetry preserves visual continuity. The master bedroom features dual-layer walls and a compartmentalized MEP setup for quiet sleep. Smart lighting and curtains adapt to activity, with soft arcs and light weaving a tranquil rhythm that creates a sense of home.

Challenge

Constrained ceiling height, fixed beams, and an unchangeable layout posed key challenges. With high functional demands, every detail-from wiring to planning-required precision. Acting as a 'spatial magician,' the designers used prefabricated curved panels to soften transitions and avoid rigidity. Major systems, including electrical, AC, dehumidifier, and HRV, were integrated into the walk-in closet and hallway walls, preserving the purity and flexibility of main spaces while balancing design with daily living.

Realization and Technology

The palette embraces wabi-sabi tones with soft neutrals and a touch of milky brown warmth, shaping a light, layered ambiance. KD wood veneer, laminate flooring, and aluminum-framed glass doors pair with artistic paint finishes, creating a soft matte texture that avoids glare. Indirect lighting, embedded in curved ceilings and cabinet corners, guides light gently through the space, accentuating satin-like hues and weaving a subtle dialogue between daylight and ambient glow.

Operation and Interaction

The wife especially appreciates the digital photo frame at the entrance, which displays personal travel and daily memories-bringing warmth upon departure and return. The husband values the soundproofing and lighting control: the master bedroom contains only a bedframe and curtains, with all devices and conduits relocated externally, while an additional acoustic wall ensures a pure sleeping environment. The entire residence features smart lighting and automated curtains, all controllable via smartphone, allowing mood settings for waking, reading, or sleeping to align naturally with daily rhythms.

Project Duration and Location

The project finished in May 2024 in Taiwan.

Specifications

With an area of 87.5 square meters, the original four-bedroom layout was reconfigured into three bedrooms and a walk-in closet, improving flexibility. The master bedroom ensures restful sleep with a dual-layer wall system: sound-absorbing panels, an insulated door, and externalized MEP equipment reduce noise. The second bedroom extends the curved design to soften edges. Optimized circulation enhances openness, while centralized storage near the entrance and dining room preserves spaciousness and visual flow.

Keywords

Wabi-sabi style, smart home, milky brown palette, curved design, soundproofing, eco-friendly materials, newly built apartment