Whispers of Light Galuega Fa'atonutonu Fale Nofoaga by Chou-Chun Kao

Whispers of Light Galuega Fa'atonutonu Fale Nofoaga by Chou-Chun Kao is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Apamemea in Mamanu Totonu Competition Category.

ApamemeaTotonu· 2025

Whispers of Light Galuega Fa'atonutonu Fale Nofoaga

by Chou-Chun Kao

Client: Siam Zhou Interior Design Ltd.

A' Design Award Apamemea Winner in Totonu Category

10,008

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #164600

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Whispers of Light Galuega Fa'atonutonu Fale Nofoaga

O Whispers of Light o se mamanu totonu o fale mo se fale mautotogi e 129 mita fa'atafafa i Taipei. O nofoaga lautele o lo'o tu'u i le ogatotonu, a'o potu tumaoti o lo'o tu'u i itu agavale ma taumatau. O le fuafuaga lenei e fa'aitiitia ai fa'alavelave i le va o tagata o le aiga e ese'ese a latou faasologa o aso taitasi. O lanu efuefu malulu ma paepae, vali mineral ma laupapa vaneer laau e fatuina ai se aafiaga faaliuliu e maua mai i vali suavai (watercolor). O se ogalaau tetele fausiaga ua ufiufi i pepa ua fa'aataata (mirrored metal panels) ma pito fa'apolopolo, ma o le vaega i lalo o le ogalaau e avea o se ala savali.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Apamemea

O le A' Design Award Apamemea na manumalo ai Whispers of Light Galuega Fa'atonutonu Fale Nofoaga, o se faamaoniga matuā mamalu e tuuina atu i mamanu ese e iloga i le fatufatuaʻi, le atamai ma le poto. O ē manumalo i le Apamemea o mea e iai le tomai atoa ma fatufatuaʻi mataʻina e faamaonia ai le poto masani tele, le mafaufau ma le atamai o tagata mamanu. E faamoemoeina Whispers of Light Galuega Fa'atonutonu Fale Nofoaga e avea ma mea e vivii tele, ua pelepelea, e iloga i le tomai faapolofesa ma mea fou. O lenei mamanu na manumalo i le A' Design Award Apamemea e tuufaatasia ai faiga sili i le faatufugaga, saienisi, mamanu ma tekonolosi ma e sili ona lelei i le mataituina o mea itiiti. Whispers of Light Galuega Fa'atonutonu Fale Nofoaga e faamalieina matagofie manaʻoga, pa i manaʻo, faalataina lagona ma faaosofia le fia iloa.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This case creates a defined living space that accommodates family members with different lifestyles. Public areas are centrally located, while private quarters are designated on the left and right, ensuring minimal disruption. The design beautifully incorporates the homeowner's passion for watercolor painting, featuring soft gray and white tones that play with light and shadow. This combination produces a layered, watercolor-like effect, infusing the home with a tranquil and artistic ambiance.
Dimensions & Packaging: This project involved the renovation of a newly built apartment with a total interior area of 129 square meters. The largest structural beam was incorporated into the layout, turning the space beneath it into a hallway that connects the entryway and multi-functional room, minimizing any sense of spatial oppression.
Tags: interiordesign, blending, lightandshadow, watercolor, connecting, livingdesign, dreamhome
Production Technology: The materials and elements used include mineral paint, metal fixtures, embossed glass, marble, floor tiles, sheer curtains, wood veneer, and titanium-coated metal panels. The design features rich mineral paint as a base, paired with natural stone incorporating green and gold elements, offering a distinct style compared to traditional black and white marble, while subtly enhancing the space's color palette. Additionally, the mineral paint is applied to the headboard wall in the master bedroom, using three shades to create a watercolor-like gradient effect.
Design Challenge: This project involved merging two independent spaces to create a more spacious layout, but it faced challenges due to the presence of a large beam. The designer cleverly chose to conceal the beam within the circulation path, allowing for a visual extension between the living room and dining area. To avoid creating a sense of oppression from the beam, the designer applied rounded R-corner treatments and covered the beam with mirrored metal panels. This approach not only enhances the spatial extension but also minimizes the beam's presence.
Research: This project renovates a newly built space by merging two units and rethinking the layout. Public areas form a central hub, connecting private quarters on each side, while the enlarged living room accommodates hosting without sacrificing privacy. To mitigate the impact of a large beam, decorative techniques and material variations create a layered, open feel. The shoe cabinet, divided into three units with embossed glass, allows natural light to flow while addressing feng shui concerns. This design balances function and aesthetics, enhancing connectivity and privacy.
Inspiration: Inspired by homeowner's love for watercolor, the design treats the space as a canvas, using warm gray and beige paints with wooden elements to achieve a watercolor effect. The delicate colors of watercolor create a dreamlike atmosphere, layering light and shadow to evoke depth. This enhances functionality while adding a natural rhythm to the home.Natural stone and green-gold accents add luxury, while light fixtures create reflections transform the space, blending modern aesthetics with warmth.
Project Duration: The project is located in the heart of Taipei City, an area known for its peaceful and cultural ambiance. The project was completed in two phases: the design phase from July to December 2022, and the construction phase from May to August 2023.
Operation Flow: The primary motivation behind this renovation was to create a space that allows family members to interact and share common areas while minimizing disruptions caused by differing lifestyle schedule. Additionally, considering the homeowner frequently hosts guests, the designer divided the kitchen into separate zones with both an inner and outer kitchen, and added a pass-through window with glass, making the cooking and dining process more seamless and interactive.