Urban Zen Kev Tsim Qauv Hauv Tsev Nyob by Kai-Jung Chen and Tzu-Hsin Chou

Urban Zen Kev Tsim Qauv Hauv Tsev Nyob by Kai-Jung Chen and Tzu-Hsin Chou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Tooj in Tsim Chav Sab Hauv thiab Kev Nthuav Qhia Competition Category.

ToojSab Hauv· 2026

Urban Zen Kev Tsim Qauv Hauv Tsev Nyob

by Kai-Jung Chen and Tzu-Hsin Chou

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

A' Design Award Tooj Winner in Sab Hauv Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Urban Zen Kev Tsim Qauv Hauv Tsev Nyob

Urban Zen yog ib qho kev tsim qauv sab hauv tsev rau ib lub tsev nyob uas muaj 115.7 square meters nyob rau hauv Taiwan. Qhov project no muab kev nyob niaj hnub hauv nroog los sib xyaw nrog kev zoo nkauj Japanese Zen. Ib lub qhov rais saib daus uas muaj qhov qhib kho tau pab tswj qhov kaj hnub thiab cov duab pom sab nraud. Ib chav tatami muab ib qho chaw ntsiag to rau cov qhua thiab kev xav ntsiag to. Cov xim ntoo sov yog xim sib zog dua nyob rau chav nyob thiab chav noj mov thiab xim tsaus dua nyob rau cov chav pw. Cov khoom siv muaj xws li cov txee tsis muaj formaldehyde, cov phab calcium silicate, ntoo tiag thiab high-pressure laminate. Ib txoj kev taug rau tsiaj thiab ib tsob ntoo raug ua rau ntawm nruab nrab cov txee rau tus miv uas nyob hauv tsev.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Tooj

Urban Zen Kev Tsim Qauv Hauv Tsev Nyob yog tus yeej ntawm A' Design Award Tooj, ib qho kev lees paub muaj meej mom heev uas muab rau cov qauv tsim tshwj xeeb uas txawv los ntawm kev tsim tshiab, kev txawj tsim thiab kev ntse. Cov neeg yeej Tooj yog cov khoom muaj txuj ci heev thiab tsim tshiab heev uas ua pov thawj txog kev paub ntau, kev xav thiab kev txawj ua ntawm cov kws tsim qauv. Urban Zen Kev Tsim Qauv Hauv Tsev Nyob xav tias yuav yog ib qho khoom uas neeg hwm, qhuas thiab hlub, uas tshaj lij heev thiab tsim tshiab. Cov qauv tsim yeej A' Design Award Tooj no siv cov kev coj ua zoo tshaj plaws ntawm kev kos duab, kev tshawb fawb, kev tsim qauv thiab thev naus laus zis thiab zoo heev vim nws saib xyuas cov ntsiab lus. Urban Zen Kev Tsim Qauv Hauv Tsev Nyob ua tau raws li cov kev xav tau zoo kawg, kov cov kev xav, ntxias cov kev xav thiab txhawb kev xav paub.

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.