Path of Light Te Ara o te Māramatanga by Yi Yuen Chang

Path of Light Te Ara o te Māramatanga by Yi Yuen Chang 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

Path of Light Te Ara o te Māramatanga

by Yi Yuen Chang

Client: Nanyi Design Interior Design Studio

A' Design Award Parahi Winner in Roto Whare Category

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Verified Award Winner

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Colors

The Design

About Path of Light Te Ara o te Māramatanga

He whakaaturanga hoahoa e rua ngā papa, kei Hsinchu, Taiwan. Kua whakaritea te wāhi mahi kia rite ki tētahi whare whakaaturanga toi, e whakaatu ana te māramatanga o te rā i te tuwhera me te rere. Ko ngā pakitara whā-hauwhā-e-toru te teitei, kua tū takitahi, hei whakarite i te māramatanga me te atarangi kia āhua hōhonu ai te wāhi. Ko ngā mata rite ki te kōhatu te āhua e ārahi ana i te neke me te whakaiti i te mahi tiaki. Kei te papa raro he wāhi pōwhiri, he wāhi hui tuwhera, me ngā tari. Kei te papa tuarua he rūma noho-ā-ahua, he rūma whakaatu rauemi, me tētahi akomanga tuwhera, e whakauru ana i ngā tae wera o te rākau me te whakamārama ngāwari. I pupuri tonutia ngā hanganga me ngā taonga o mua kia iti ake ai te whakamahi rauemi.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Parahi

Ko Path of Light Te Ara o te Māramatanga 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 Path of Light Te Ara o te Māramatanga 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 Path of Light Te Ara o te Māramatanga 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: The design envisions a gallery inspired workspace, where light defines openness and fluidity. Staggered three quarter height walls act as light modulators, channeling daylight to create a dynamic interplay of illumination and shadow. This deliberate intervention deepens spatial perception, accentuates material contrasts, and fosters an ambiance that evolves with the suns trajectory, seamlessly merging functionality with an artful and evocative aesthetic.
Dimensions & Packaging: This two-story studio is designed for both workspace efficiency and collaborative engagement. The ground floor features a reception area, an open meeting space, a main office area, a beverage station, and a document storage room. The second floor includes a multifunctional open classroom for industry and community events, a dedicated material display room, a discussion area, and a private enclosed meeting room with glass partitions, ensuring both visual transparency and privacy.
Tags: Natural light optimization, material psychology, sustainable design, energy efficiency, feng shui principles, adaptive reuse, low-VOC materials, spatial flow, reflective surfaces, user experience design
Production Technology: The design preserves the building’s structure while integrating sustainable materials and refined finishes. Stone textured walls subtly guide movement and reduce maintenance, while curved partitions and reflective surfaces enhance spatial flow and light distribution. The exposed ceiling, treated with eco friendly coatings, minimizes material use. The second floor VIP salon and gallery, with warm wood tones and ambient lighting, create a refined yet inviting atmosphere.
Design Challenge: The project integrated materiality and user psychology to enhance function and aesthetics. Stone-textured walls subtly discourage touch, maintaining cleanliness. Retaining existing furniture minimized material use, while an exposed ceiling with eco-friendly coatings reduced waste. Maximizing natural light with energy-efficient LEDs lowered consumption, and low-VOC materials improved air quality. Reflective surfaces and white walls enhanced daylight, reducing artificial lighting needs.
Research: This research examines spatial design, light dynamics, and feng shui to balance openness, interaction, and exclusivity. Observational studies and user feedback analyzed workflow efficiency, client engagement, and the psychological effects of light and materiality. Feng shui experiments optimized energy flow, while textured finishes guided movement. Findings show that spatial contrast, strategic lighting, and cultural depth enhance functionality and brand identity.
Inspiration: The project began with a simple observation: how light moves through space, shaping perception and atmosphere. This inspired a workspace where light actively guides transitions, defines boundaries, and adds depth without barriers. Like a gallery, the design emphasizes openness and fluidity, evolving with the interplay of light and shadow. Balancing collaboration and focus, it integrates repurposed materials and natural light, enhancing sustainability while preserving authenticity.
Project Duration: The project commenced in Hsinchu, Taiwan, in December 2023, was completed in April 2024, and officially opened in July 2024.
Operation Flow: As guests step inside, light weaves through staggered partitions, casting shifting patterns that evolve throughout the day. Sunlight moves with them, tracing surfaces, soft in the morning, sharp by noon, and golden at dusk. A dimly lit staircase compresses the space, heightening anticipation. As they ascend, the ceiling lifts, unveiling a warmly illuminated salon where wood tones and ambient lighting envelop them in a quiet, refined elegance. It's an invitation to pause, interact, and immerse.
Image Credits: Image #1: GUAN PIN Studio
Image #2: GUAN PIN Studio
Image #3: GUAN PIN Studio
Image #4: GUAN PIN Studio
Image #5: GUAN PIN Studio