Between Forest and Light Calihtic Tlahtlaliliztli ipan Chantli by Daisuke Nagatomo and Minnie Jan is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli in Callitic Tlacauhtli ihuan Tlanextilizpan Tlachihchihualiztli Competition Category.
TepoztliCallitic· 2026
Between Forest and Light Calihtic Tlahtlaliliztli ipan Chantli
by Daisuke Nagatomo and Minnie Jan
Client: MisoSoupDesign
Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli Winner in Callitic Category
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The Design
About Between Forest and Light Calihtic Tlahtlaliliztli ipan Chantli
Itzalan Cuauhtlah ihuan Tlanextli itoca inin calihtic tlahtlaliliztli ipan ce chantli tlen quipia nahui tlamamalli, omotlalih ic mosepanoz in calihtic tequitl ihuan in tlalticpactli tlen quiyahualoa. In tlahtlaliliztli quintlalia in cepan ihuan iyoca caltin ic acopa, ic ceceyaca tlamamalli huel monamiqui ica cequi tlachializtli ihuan tonalnextli. Tetl, cuahuitl ihuan tezcatl quinextiah in panoliztli itzalan caltin ihuan quiyecanah in tlanexcaquiliztli. In tlanextli tlen amo huelica moitta ihuan in tlatlatilli tlamantli quinchipahuacacahuah in ixco caltin. Inin tlahtlaliliztli quihueyichihua in caltlatecpanaliztli, in tlachializ tenextiliztli ihuan in tlanextli yecanaliztli ic quicalaquia in cuauhtlah itech in momoztlaca nemiliztli.
The Recognition
About the Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli
Between Forest and Light Calihtic Tlahtlaliliztli ipan Chantli ca in quicuic in Mahuizolli A' Design Award Tepoztli, tlamahuizoliztli tlen momaca in cualli dizayno in quitlalia in tlen monequi ipan tequitl ihuan tlachihualiztli in quimaca in cualli tlachihualli. In quicuicah Tepoztli quinextia in hueyi tlamatiliztli, toltecayotl ihuan ihuelitiliztli intlachihuanime. Ca quinequi in Between Forest and Light Calihtic Tlahtlaliliztli ipan Chantli ca tlazohtli, mahuiztic, yancuic ihuan motequiuhtia. Ni dizayno in quicuic Tepoztli quihuelitia in tlamatiliztli ihuan quipia chicahualiztli tlen tepoztli. Between Forest and Light Calihtic Tlahtlaliliztli ipan Chantli quicualtia in nemiliztli ihuan quihuelitia in cemanahuac ica cualli.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- Between Forest and Light reinterprets vertical residential living as a layered landscape. Each floor offers a distinct relationship with nature through controlled transparency, framed views, and material variation. Curved stone walls, filtered glazing, and integrated lighting soften spatial transitions, creating a continuous yet diverse living experience that evolves from ground to top floor.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Project Type: Private Residence
Location: Xindian District, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Building Height: 4 stories
Scope: Interior Design
Completion Year: 2021 - Tags
- Residential interior, Vertical living, Natural light, Forest view, Material layering
- Production Technology
- The project integrates custom stone cladding, wood panel systems, and precision glass partitions to achieve seamless transitions between spaces. Indirect lighting, concealed mechanical systems, and bespoke furniture elements are carefully coordinated to maintain visual clarity. Natural materials were selected for durability, aging quality, and their ability to enhance light reflection and spatial depth.
- Design Challenge
- The primary challenge was designing a vertical residence that maintains spatial coherence while responding to varied programmatic needs across four levels. Another key challenge was balancing openness to the surrounding forest with privacy, environmental comfort, and structural constraints, while ensuring daylight penetration throughout the deep interior spaces.
- Research
- This project investigates how vertical residential interiors can mediate the relationship between dense natural environments and contemporary domestic living. Through a four-story private residence, the design explores spatial sequencing, material articulation, and daylight modulation as tools to integrate forest landscapes into everyday life. The research focuses on how framed views, controlled transparency, and layered material systems influence occupants’ perception of space, privacy, and environmental continuity. By organizing programs vertically and calibrating light conditions on each level, the project proposes a residential model that balances openness and enclosure while enhancing long-term spatial comfort and sensory engagement with nature.
- Inspiration
- The project is inspired by the site’s hillside setting and dense greenery. Rather than treating nature as a backdrop, the design frames forest views as an integral spatial element. Light, shadow, and seasonal changes are incorporated into daily life, allowing residents to experience nature from multiple perspectives across different floors.
- Project Duration
- Design 2020 - 2021
Construction 2021 - 2022
Completion 2022 - Operation Flow
- Daily movement unfolds vertically from public to private spaces. The ground floor connects communal living areas to the garden, while upper levels gradually shift toward more intimate functions. Visual connections between floors and outdoor views guide circulation, allowing residents to experience changing light conditions and forest scenery as part of everyday routines.
- Team Members
- Daisuke Nagatomo
Minnie Jan
Daniel Wang
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