Quiet Boundary Residence by Po Chuan Kao Receives the Bronze A' Design Award in Interior Space and Exhibition Design

The Work

Project

Quiet Boundary Residence

Function

Residence

Category

Interior Space and Exhibition Design

Discipline

Spatial Design

Industry

Architecture and Packaging & Retail

Colors

Dark Slate Gray, Dim Gray, Black and Gray

Images

5

Client

ACG Design International

The Recognition

Laureate

Po Chuan Kao

Country

Taiwan (China)

Recognition

Bronze A' Design Award

Edition

2024 - 2025

Design ID

#164448

Credits

Image Credits

ACG Design International

Design Details

Unique Properties

This project challenges the 'less is more' trend, focusing instead on creating a home that addresses the needs and desires of the occupants. The entrance area was restored first, and a sculptural stone door frame was added to redefine the relationship between the entrance, kitchen, and dining room. This maintains light while establishing clear circulation and separate spaces, creating a sense of calm. The master bedroom, hidden behind a gray wall, is bathed in natural light. A sloping ceiling adds an airy, vacation-like feel to the space.

Inspiration

The site is a new apartment. The overall design is based on the theme of calmness, to convey depth and privacy. The designers conveyed the core concept through inversion and subtlety in an attempt to create a design with depth and layers. In a dark modern space, the connections between areas create depth of field and position the function and role of 'home'. The project emphasizes the interaction and communication between family members and achieves a design that is both modern and fulfills the needs of family living.

Research

The project, 'Quiet Boundary,' represents a thoughtful approach to spatial demarcation. Using inverse thinking and subtle design, the designers created a home with depth and layering. In the dark modern aesthetic, spatial connections enhance the depth of field while emphasizing family interaction. The 'addition' principle redefines the entrance, kitchen, and dining area, maintaining order while allowing natural light to flow. In the master bedroom, a window-length sofa offers storage and a cozy sitting area, inviting residents to relax and enjoy the view.

Challenge

The original layout was different from that commonly found in Taiwan. The entrance is connected to the dining room and kitchen, rather than the living room which is the centerpiece of family life. The designers needed to create a clear demarcation within the existing layout. Setting up a 'relay station' in the space balances the core. This approach achieves visual and functional continuity between functional areas, while maintaining openness and fluid circulation, resulting in an intuitive and aesthetically pleasing home.

Realization and Technology

Materials: iron parts, titanium-plated baking paint, glass, imported mineral paint, imported tiles, imported wood flooring, marble, etc. The gray base emphasizes modernity. Hand-colored with imported mineral paints, its unique rendering technique adds a sense of calm and elegance. Each wall is a work of art. The transitions between colors are natural and harmonious, providing the occupants with a serene yet subtle visual experience.

Operation and Interaction

The family is very satisfied with the perfect balance between openness and seclusion, especially the view of the mountains and rivers from the windows with the spacious interior. The two-way sofa allows for smooth circulation. On a psychological level, the different shades of gray make it more appealing and comfortable, thus achieving a stress-relieving effect.

Project Duration and Location

The project finished in January 2024 in Taiwan.

Specifications

The site is a new apartment with a total area of 109 square meters, featuring 2 bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, 2 bathrooms, and a kitchen. In Taiwan's current housing market, kitchens are often positioned near the entrance, forming a circulation path with the rear balcony. Unlike traditional layouts where kitchens are placed at the back, this project positions the kitchen at the front, making the spatial flow between the entrance, kitchen, and dining room critical. Additionally, the two-way sofa in the living room can be staggered or stacked along the circulation route, ensuring both functional adaptability and spatial fluidity.

Keywords

Dark tone, additive principle, spatial connection, calm atmosphere, natural lighting.