Urban Zen Diseño de interiores residencial by Kai-Jung Chen and Tzu-Hsin Chou

Urban Zen Diseño de interiores residencial by Kai-Jung Chen and Tzu-Hsin Chou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award de Bronce in Diseño de Espacios Interiores y Exposiciones Competition Category.

BronceInterior· 2026

Urban Zen Diseño de interiores residencial

by Kai-Jung Chen and Tzu-Hsin Chou

Client: MUSA International Design Interior Decoration Co., Ltd.

A' Design Award de Bronce Winner in Interior Category

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The Design

About Urban Zen Diseño de interiores residencial

Urban Zen es un proyecto de diseño de interiores residencial para una vivienda de 115,7 metros cuadrados en Taiwán. La propuesta combina la vida urbana contemporánea con la estética zen japonesa. Una ventana de contemplación de la nieve, con aperturas ajustables, regula la luz natural y encuadra las vistas. Una sala de tatami brinda un espacio de sosiego para los invitados y la meditación. Los tonos cálidos de la madera son más claros en la sala de estar y el comedor, y más oscuros en los dormitorios. Entre los materiales se incluyen mobiliario libre de formaldehído, paneles de silicato de calcio, madera maciza y laminado de alta presión. Entre los armarios se ha integrado una pasarela para mascotas y un árbol destinados al gato de la casa.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Bronce

Urban Zen Diseño de interiores residencial ha ganado el A' Design Award de Bronce, un reconocimiento sumamente prestigioso concedido a diseños sobresalientes que se distinguen por su creatividad, ingenio y astucia. Los ganadores de Bronce son artefactos ampliamente hábiles y sorprendentemente creativos que acreditan la vasta experiencia, imaginación e ingeniosidad de sus diseñadores. Se espera que Urban Zen Diseño de interiores residencial sea un objeto muy apreciado, admirado y querido, notablemente profesional e innovador. Este diseño ganador del A' Design Award de Bronce incorpora las mejores prácticas del arte, la ciencia, el diseño y la tecnología, y es excelente por su atención al detalle. Urban Zen Diseño de interiores residencial satisface espléndidamente las necesidades, toca los deseos, encanta los sentimientos y atrae la curiosidad.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The project integrates Japanese Zen aesthetics, especially the concept of yukimi. A snow-viewing window with adjustable openings creates shifting light and shadow; fully raised, it frames the snow outside, while lowered, it preserves calm serenity. A tatami room welcomes guests for meditation, offering a pure Zen retreat. Considering the owner's cat, designers embedded a pet walkway and a tree between cabinets. Laminated finishes ensure safety and ease of movement, blending feline comfort with spatial design and fostering harmony between people and pets.
Dimensions & Packaging: The site is 115.7 square meters. There are three rooms: a living room, a dining room, and two bathrooms, including a master bedroom, a second bedroom, and a study room. In terms of layout changes, the designers changed the original rectangular kitchen into an L-shape to increase space and functionality. The living room and dining room were also reconfigured to better suit the owner's lifestyle. In the private area, each room has a window and is in a dark tone, with acoustic curtains to create a serene atmosphere.
Tags: Japanese design, Zen style, Yukimi windows, grilles, wood tones, pet-friendly, customized remodeling
Production Technology: The project adopts eco-friendly materials, including formaldehyde-free system cabinets, calcium silicate panels, tawny mirrors, solid wood, and high-pressure laminate. Warm wood tones define the palette: lighter shades in social areas like the living and dining rooms enhance openness and brightness, while darker tones in bedrooms foster calm and focus. Solid wood, left unpainted, ensures cat-friendly safety by reducing ingestion risks. The overall materiality balances aesthetics, sustainability, and harmonious living with pets.
Design Challenge: Most furniture and fixtures were custom-made, including windows and tatami mats. The designers coordinated closely with carpenters to align schedules and ensure precision. Uneven wall surfaces required careful adjustments, especially during window installation, to prevent issues such as handle collisions. As the owners' ideas were initially unclear, the designers guided them through discussions to articulate their needs. This process ensured that practical solutions, aesthetic details, and the final atmosphere aligned with the owners' vision.
Research: Titled Urban Zen, the project is a customized renovation reflecting the owner's preference for Japanese aesthetics. Drawing from Zen wood patterns and totems, the designers created an elegant, harmonious atmosphere. Elements such as sequential grilles and delicate window motifs echo Yukimi's casual style, blending simplicity with warmth. Neutral tones welcome daylight, while open social areas frame unobstructed views. Built-in cabinets integrate pet-friendly features, allowing daily life and serenity to coexist, slowing the city's pace within a tranquil, Zen-inspired home.
Inspiration: The inspiration comes from the owners' love of the Japanese Zen style, especially their appreciation of the culture and style when they traveled to Japan. As a result, the designers aimed to create a residence that combines urban modernity with Japanese Zen style, allowing the owners to enjoy a vacation-like atmosphere at home. Iconic elements such as grilles, wood grain, Yukimi windows, and tatami mats make the space aesthetically pleasing yet functional and pet-friendly.
Project Duration: The project finished in May 2024 in Taiwan.
Operation Flow: Owners give very positive feedback on the project. In particular, they appreciate the Japanese Zen style of modern living. The simplicity and calmness of the Japanese style can be felt in every corner of the home. Both the decoration and the functionality are very well thought out. When the windows are open, one can see the breeze, and when the windows are closed, one can enjoy the tranquility. For a cat-loving family, the designers skillfully integrated the cat's activity area into the design, allowing the cat to move freely in all spaces and increasing the cozy atmosphere.
Team Members: Kai-Jung Chen, Tzu-Hsin Chou
Image Credits: MUSA International Design Interior Decoration Co., Ltd.