Layered Cohabitat Igishushanyo cy'Imbere mu Nzu y'Ubwoko bwa Apartment by Ai Ling Hsieh

Layered Cohabitat Igishushanyo cy'Imbere mu Nzu y'Ubwoko bwa Apartment by Ai Ling Hsieh is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze in Igishushanyo cy'Imbere y'Inyubako Competition Category.

BuronzeImbere y'Inyubako· 2026

Layered Cohabitat Igishushanyo cy'Imbere mu Nzu y'Ubwoko bwa Apartment

by Ai Ling Hsieh

Client: POC Design

Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze Winner in Imbere y'Inyubako Category

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Colors

The Design

About Layered Cohabitat Igishushanyo cy'Imbere mu Nzu y'Ubwoko bwa Apartment

Layered Cohabitat ni igishushanyo cy'imbere mu nzu ya metero kare 46 cyateguriwe umuntu umwe n'injangwe. Imiterere y'inzu ikoresha igisenge kirekire kugira ngo yagurwe mu buryo buhagaze, bikarema urujya n'uruza rw'ibyiciro bitandukanye bihuza ahantu hafunguye. Intambwe zizamuka zigize urukuta rwo kururira ku njangwe kandi zihuza n'inzira izenguruka umutambiko. Akabati kagufi k'ibyiciro bibiri gari ku idirishya gatanga ahantu ho kubika ibintu n'aho kuruhukira. Imirongo isukuye, amabara yoroheje ya taupe, irangi ry'amabuye n'ibiti bigaragaza ishusho ituje y'ishyamba. Urukuta rutandukanya ibyumba rwakuweho kugira ngo urumuri rw'amanywa ruturuka mu burasirazuba rwinjire imbere mu nzu.

The Recognition

About the Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze

Layered Cohabitat Igishushanyo cy'Imbere mu Nzu y'Ubwoko bwa Apartment ni uwegukanye Igihembo cya A' Design Award cya Buronze, ishimwe ry'agaciro gakomeye ritangwa ku bishushanyo by'indashyikirwa birangwa no guhanga, ubwenge n'ubushishozi. Abegukanye Buronze ni ibihangano bifite ubuhanga bwinshi kandi bihanga cyane, bishimangira uburambe, ubwenge n'ubushobozi bw'ababihanze. Layered Cohabitat Igishushanyo cy'Imbere mu Nzu y'Ubwoko bwa Apartment biteganyijwe ko izaba ikintu cyubahwa, gishimwa kandi gikundwa, gifite ubunyamwuga n'udushya. Iki gishushanyo cyegukanye Buronze gikoresha uburyo bwiza mu buhanzi, ubumenyi, ubushushanyo n'ikoranabuhanga kandi kirarenze mu gutaha ku tuntu duto. Layered Cohabitat Igishushanyo cy'Imbere mu Nzu y'Ubwoko bwa Apartment ishimisha ibyo dukeneye, ikora ku byifuzo byacu, itwara amarangamutima yacu kandi ikurura amatsiko yacu.

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