Ripple Te Hoahoa Rōpū o Roto mō te Kāinga by Yu Fen Lee

Ripple Te Hoahoa Rōpū o Roto mō te Kāinga by Yu Fen Lee is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Rino in Hoahoa Roto Whare me te Whakaaturanga Competition Category.

RinoRoto Whare· 2026

Ripple Te Hoahoa Rōpū o Roto mō te Kāinga

by Yu Fen Lee

Client: Yujian.studio

A' Design Award Rino Winner in Roto Whare Category

4,649

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #174339

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Ripple Te Hoahoa Rōpū o Roto mō te Kāinga

He hoahoa rōpū o roto a Ripple mō tētahi whare noho e 87.5 mita tapawhā te rahi i Taiwan. Ka rere tētahi tuanui rite ki te ngaru puta noa i ngā wāhi noho me te wāhi kai, e whakangāwari ana i ngā tuanui pāpaku me ngā kurupae pūmau, ā, e horahia ana hoki te māramatanga. I whakahoutia te whakatakotoranga taketake e whā ngā rūma moe kia toru ngā rūma moe me tētahi kāpata kuhu, hei whakapai ake i te ngāwari me te rere haere. Ka hono tētahi pakitara karaihe kōpiko i te kīhini me te kāpata o te tomokanga, ā, ka huna ngā kāpata taha-rua kia kore ai e kitea ngā wāhi rokiroki. Ka whakamahia e te rūma moe matua ngā papa miti oro me tētahi tatau ārai oro kia moe mārire ai.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Rino

Ko Ripple Te Hoahoa Rōpū o Roto mō te Kāinga te toa o te A' Design Award Rino, he whakaaetanga whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa pai e whakatutuki ana i ngā hiahia ngaio me te ahumahi e tūmanakohia ana mai i ngā mahi kua hoahoatia pai. Ko ngā toa Rino e whakaatu ana i te pukenga nui, te tohungatanga teitei, te māramatanga mātanga me te kaha auaha o ō rātou kaihanga. E tūmanakohia ana ko Ripple Te Hoahoa Rōpū o Roto mō te Kāinga he mahi whakanuia, whakamīharotia, aroha nui, he whaihua, he auaha hoki. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Rino e whakakotahi ana i ngā tikanga pai rawa o te ahumahi, ā, he āhuatanga hangarau pūkenga tōna e hono ana ki te mōhio me te pūmanawa. E whakahonoretia ana a Ripple Te Hoahoa Rōpū o Roto mō te Kāinga mō tōna tōtika, ā, i hoahoatia hei whakapai ake i te kounga o te oranga me te āwhina i te ao kia pai ake.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: To resolve low ceilings and beams, a wave-like ceiling flows through the living and dining areas, softening the structure and extending light to heighten perception. The original four bedrooms became three, adding a flexible guest/dressing room and improving flow. A digital photo frame at the dining entry displays daily moments as a warm highlight. The kitchen connects to the entrance closet with a curved glass wall, while concealed storage and double-sided cabinetry ensure continuity. In the master bedroom, a hidden cabinet door integrates acoustic panels and access, uniting function with wabi-sabi refinement.
Dimensions & Packaging: With an area of 87.5 square meters, the original four-bedroom layout was reconfigured into three bedrooms and a walk-in closet, improving flexibility. The master bedroom ensures restful sleep with a dual-layer wall system: sound-absorbing panels, an insulated door, and externalized MEP equipment reduce noise. The second bedroom extends the curved design to soften edges. Optimized circulation enhances openness, while centralized storage near the entrance and dining room preserves spaciousness and visual flow.
Tags: Wabi-sabi style, smart home, milky brown palette, curved design, soundproofing, eco-friendly materials, newly built apartment
Production Technology: The palette embraces wabi-sabi tones with soft neutrals and a touch of milky brown warmth, shaping a light, layered ambiance. KD wood veneer, laminate flooring, and aluminum-framed glass doors pair with artistic paint finishes, creating a soft matte texture that avoids glare. Indirect lighting, embedded in curved ceilings and cabinet corners, guides light gently through the space, accentuating satin-like hues and weaving a subtle dialogue between daylight and ambient glow.
Design Challenge: Constrained ceiling height, fixed beams, and an unchangeable layout posed key challenges. With high functional demands, every detail-from wiring to planning-required precision. Acting as a 'spatial magician,' the designers used prefabricated curved panels to soften transitions and avoid rigidity. Major systems, including electrical, AC, dehumidifier, and HRV, were integrated into the walk-in closet and hallway walls, preserving the purity and flexibility of main spaces while balancing design with daily living.
Research: This 87.5-square-meter Zhubei apartment, faced with fixed layouts and ceiling limits, yet the design reimagined the flow and comfort. Wave-like ceilings soften beams and guide light, while a curved glass wall links the kitchen and entrance closets, enhancing openness and interaction. Concealed storage in double-sided cabinetry preserves visual continuity. The master bedroom features dual-layer walls and a compartmentalized MEP setup for quiet sleep. Smart lighting and curtains adapt to activity, with soft arcs and light weaving a tranquil rhythm that creates a sense of home.
Inspiration: This project is located in Zhubei, Hsinchu County, and was designed for a young couple soon to be married. Due to restrictions on layout customization, the original configuration was somewhat rigid and constrictive. The design approach was to 'create the greatest flexibility within limitations.' Drawing from the wife's preference for milky brown toned wabi-sabi style and the husband's demand for functionality, the design integrates smart home features, lighting guidance, and optimized circulation to create a refined home that balances thoughtful detailing, functionality, and aesthetics.
Project Duration: The project finished in May 2024 in Taiwan.
Operation Flow: The wife especially appreciates the digital photo frame at the entrance, which displays personal travel and daily memories-bringing warmth upon departure and return. The husband values the soundproofing and lighting control: the master bedroom contains only a bedframe and curtains, with all devices and conduits relocated externally, while an additional acoustic wall ensures a pure sleeping environment. The entire residence features smart lighting and automated curtains, all controllable via smartphone, allowing mood settings for waking, reading, or sleeping to align naturally with daily rhythms.
Team Members: Yu-Fen Lee
Image Credits: Yujian.studio