Quiet Boundary Hoahoanga Roto o te Whare Noho by Po Chuan Kao

Quiet Boundary Hoahoanga Roto o te Whare Noho by Po Chuan Kao is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Parahi in Hoahoa Roto Whare me te Whakaaturanga Competition Category.

ParahiRoto Whare· 2025

Quiet Boundary Hoahoanga Roto o te Whare Noho

by Po Chuan Kao

Client: ACG Design International

A' Design Award Parahi Winner in Roto Whare Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #164448

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Quiet Boundary Hoahoanga Roto o te Whare Noho

Ko Te Rohe Ata Marino he hoahoanga roto mō tētahi whare noho 109 mita tapawhā te rahi i Taiwana. Kei roto i tēnei whare ētahi rūma moe e rua, he rūma noho, he rūma kai, he kīhini me ētahi rūma horoi e rua. Ko tētahi pae kūwaha kōhatu whakairo e whakahou ana i te hononga i waenga i te tomokanga, te kīhini me te rūma kai, e pupuri ana i te māramatanga taiao i a ia e wehewehe ana i ngā wāhi. Ko ngā pakitara kua oti te whakaoti ā-ringa ki te peita kōhatu kawea mai i tāwāhi, ā, kei ngā āhua hina marino. Ko te rūma moe matua e noho ana i muri i tētahi pakitara hina, ā, he tuanui pīpī tōna. Ko tētahi hōfa ka taea te whakamahi i ngā ara e rua e pupuri ana i te rere wātea o te hīkoi.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Parahi

Ko Quiet Boundary Hoahoanga Roto o te Whare Noho te toa o te A' Design Award Parahi, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa kōeke e tohua ana mā te auaha, te mahi mōhio me te whakaaro hōhonu. Ko ngā toa Parahi he mahi pukenga e rite ana, he auaha mīharo, e whakatūturu ana i te wheako nui, te whakaaro me te mōhio-ā-ringa o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Quiet Boundary Hoahoanga Roto o te Whare Noho he taonga whakanuia, whakamīharotia, aroha nui, he ngaio, he auaha hoki. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Parahi e whakauru ana i ngā tikanga pai rawa i te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau, ā, he tino mīharo ki ngā taipitopito. Ka whakatutuki a Quiet Boundary Hoahoanga Roto o te Whare Noho i ngā hiahia, ka pā ki ngā hiahia, ka whakaoho i ngā kare-ā-roto, ā, ka kume i te pākiki.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

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.
Dimensions & Packaging: 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.
Tags: Dark tone, additive principle, spatial connection, calm atmosphere, natural lighting.
Production 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.
Design 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.
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.
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.
Project Duration: The project finished in January 2024 in Taiwan.
Operation Flow: 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.
Team Members: Po Chuan Kao
Image Credits: ACG Design International