Interview with Yi-Lun Hsu

In the first seven years of my career, I worked on designing and establishing indicators for eco-cities and eco-communities. This included microclimate management in various cities domestically and internationally (such as summer ventilation or winter wind shielding), water system integration for urban cooling, energy self-sufficiency in cities and buildings, energy reduction, natural environment preservation, and planning for effective public transportation systems. These experiences have been invaluable to me, as they translate directly into interior design by observing the natural environment surrounding a building—where is there western sun exposure, where does the wind come from, where are the best views, or the scenic mountain or water landscapes? Our goal is to respond to these natural elements from within the interior design.

From my perspective, the essence of interior design is responding to the environment. Good design provides effective ventilation, natural lighting (creating varied light and shadow effects), greenery that connects with the outdoors, and meets the needs of its users.

I enjoy using materials commonly found in nature, such as solid wood, rattan, bamboo, cotton, linen, stone (or stone-textured tiles), diatomaceous earth, and red clay rice husk walls. I also appreciate rustic materials like the rough texture of exposed concrete and red brick walls, as these materials can evoke a sense of being immersed in nature.

My background in architecture education makes me particularly attentive to structural safety when planning interiors. I pay close attention to the placement of beams, columns, shear walls, and pipe shafts, ensuring that major reconfigurations do not compromise the building structure. As a mother, I also understand the evolving needs of families as children grow, so safety and flexible planning are essential. My career journey from architecture to urban planning and finally interior design provides me with a broad perspective and an emphasis on systematic integration. Interior design issues aren’t just about details but involve a comprehensive plan that flows from large to small scale. I aim to carry concepts from the initial idea through to design, detailed drawings, and construction methods, achieving a cohesive approach from start to finish.

When working in a team, integrating various areas of expertise is essential. Only through thinking from different perspectives can we spark diverse design solutions.

We are good at observing the surrounding environment around the building itself. We are also focusing on the plan of circulation and simplifying the interior space and figure.
Within the Minature projects, we can see the flow of wind, the reflection of light and shadow, the green connection between indoor and outdoor space and the atmosphere of cleaness, simpliness and natural freshness, which are the essential characteristics of the Minature production.
“The harmonious relationship between human and nature” is the concept Minature always persists.

I like works across architecture, interior design and landscape. The design from inside to outside is completely design.

I enjoy using materials commonly found in nature, such as solid wood, rattan, bamboo, cotton, linen, stone (or stone-textured tiles), diatomaceous earth, and red clay rice husk walls. I also appreciate rustic materials like the rough texture of exposed concrete and red brick walls, as these materials can evoke a sense of being immersed in nature.