Layered Cohabitat Te Hoahoa Rōpū o Roto o te Whare Noho by Ai Ling Hsieh

Layered Cohabitat Te Hoahoa Rōpū o Roto o te Whare Noho by Ai Ling Hsieh is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Parahi in Hoahoa Roto Whare me te Whakaaturanga Competition Category.

ParahiRoto Whare· 2026

Layered Cohabitat Te Hoahoa Rōpū o Roto o te Whare Noho

by Ai Ling Hsieh

Client: POC Design

A' Design Award Parahi Winner in Roto Whare Category

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Verified Award Winner

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Colors

The Design

About Layered Cohabitat Te Hoahoa Rōpū o Roto o te Whare Noho

He hoahoa rōpū o roto a Layered Cohabitat mō tētahi whare noho 46 mita pūrua, i hoahoatia mō te tangata kotahi me tētahi ngeru. Ka whakamahi te whakatakotoranga i te tuanui teitei kia toro whakarunga, e hanga ana i te rere taumata-wehe e hono ana i ngā wāhi tuwhera. Ka hanga ngā arawhata piki hei pakitara piki mā te ngeru, ā, ka hono atu ki tētahi ara hīkoi e karapoti ana i tētahi kurupae. He kāpata pāpaku e rua ōna taumata i te taha o te matapihi, hei wāhi rokiroki, hei wāhi okioki hoki. Ko ngā rārangi mā, ngā tae taupe ngāwari, te peita kohuke me te rākau ka whakaara ake i te āhua o tētahi ngahere marino. I tangohia tētahi pakitara wehewehe kia uru mai te māramatanga o te rā i te taha rāwhiti ki roto.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Parahi

Ko Layered Cohabitat Te Hoahoa Rōpū o 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 Layered Cohabitat Te Hoahoa Rōpū o 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 Layered Cohabitat Te Hoahoa Rōpū o 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: Unlike the typical living form, this project provides an innovative solution that integrates everyday functionality while offering the cat an exclusive habitat without any sacrifice to the human's living experience. Exploring the new possibility and cohabitation within a compact space, the design aims for a flowy, effortless, and harmonious balance between the cat and the occupant. The master plan takes advantage of the high ceiling, expanding vertically to enhance movement.
Dimensions & Packaging: Construction area 46 square meter.
Tags: Eco-friendly, non-toxic material, compact space
Production Technology: By introducing varied vertical axes and conjoining open spaces, the design breaks away from a typical apartment layout, creating a split-level flow and spatial diversity. Backdrops are finished in mineral paint, offering a gentle, organic texture that pairs seamlessly with the cabinetry, open shelving, and pegboard wall system. Through the interplay of curves, clean lines, and cut-out form, this small-scale apartment transforms into a new living form where the cat and the human coexist in comfort.
Design Challenge: The apartment suffered from poor daylighting due to a partition wall blocking the east-facing orientation and the path of the rising sun. By removing the partition wall, the layout opens up, allowing the east-facing room to bring daylight into the interior spaces.
Research: All materials were applied with thoughtful consideration: LED lighting devices were used to save energy, and recycled-based paints were chosen for sustainability. Meanwhile, all materials were certified non-toxic and safe for both humans and animals. Durable surface materials were selected to reduce long-term maintenance costs.
Inspiration: Spanning less than 50 square meters, the apartment is tailored for a single woman and a cat. Reimaging the notion of walking into a forest, the interior space is holistically structured with clean lines and soft taupe palettes, complemented by wood materials. Light, color, and the texture interweave to evoke a clam, relaxing, carefree woodland ambiance. Especially, the mirror at the entrance enhances the visual spaciousness through reflection.
Project Duration: Tainan City
Operation Flow: A two-tier low cabinet by the window provides not only storage but also a cozy lounging spot for both occupants. Ascending steps build up a climbing wall for the cat, linking to a walkway that wraps around a beam, allowing light and air to freely flow through the space. The open shelving paired with the floating walkway helps define spatial boundaries through a lightweight design, avoiding any sense of visual clutter.
Patents: Copyrights belong to POC Design
Team Members: Ai Ling Hsieh
Image Credits: Kane Liou Photography