Silver Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2025
Language Center Shared Space
- A' Design Award 2025 Silver Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: Tsong Yo Interior Design
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 17,577
- Verification code 8200F274CD · Verify this award
About Language Center Shared Space
Language Center is an interior design project for a university language department in Taiwan, completed in July 2024. The 296 square meter space is organized around a cross-shaped circulation axis. The entrance area links the lounge, the reading area, the offices and the classrooms through clear and simple pathways. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring in daylight and open views to the central courtyard. The original terrazzo flooring and brick walls were preserved, and natural wood veneer was used on the ceiling and window frames. Light and dark tones follow the Tai Chi idea of balance.
Tsong Yo Interior Design's Language Center Shared Space emerges from contemporary institutional design traditions that privilege warmth, materiality, and human-scaled environments over the clinical austerity sometimes associated with educational facilities, positioning this work within a lineage of Scandinavian-influenced interiors that celebrate natural materials as vehicles for psychological comfort and spatial poetry. The design demonstrates remarkable chromatic sophistication through its orchestration of warm timber tones against strategic charcoal accents, creating a value structure that guides visual attention while establishing distinct functional zones within an open-plan configuration. Technical accomplishment manifests in the precise joinery of the diagonal ceiling beams, whose bold geometric intervention transforms what might otherwise read as conventional overhead plane into a dynamic architectural element that energizes the entire spatial experience. The selection of mid-century modern furniture typologies, characterized by exposed wood frames and understated upholstery, suggests thoughtful engagement with design heritage while serving contemporary programmatic requirements for flexible, comfortable seating appropriate to both focused study and informal conversation. One observes particular sensitivity in the handling of natural light, which enters generously through the glazed western wall, its quality modulated by exterior vegetation visible on the terrace and balanced by warm artificial sources that ensure consistent illumination throughout the day. The decorative medallion mounted on the vertical timber screen introduces craft tradition and cultural reference into an otherwise resolutely contemporary material vocabulary, perhaps inviting contemplation of how inherited ornamental languages might find renewed relevance within modern spatial frameworks. Viewers may find themselves considering how the thoughtful calibration of hard and soft surfaces, warm and cool tones, and geometric and organic elements creates an environment that simultaneously stimulates intellectual engagement and provides the sensory comfort essential to sustained creative work.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The project incorporates Tai Chi principles, using black-and-white patterns to symbolize harmony and balance. The entrance redesign maximizes space through a cross-shaped circulation, following natural light to create a visually harmonious atmosphere. The design blends classical Chinese aesthetics with local elements, preserving reusable objects from the site. Details like retro terrazzo flooring and deep wood tones reflect Taiwan's cultural identity, while the transparent design evokes the warmth of a traditional three-section compound house, honoring both cultural and architectural heritage.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The project spans 296 square meters with a 'cross-axis' design at its core. The entrance area acts as an intersection, linking key spaces like the lounge, reading area, and offices. The layout emphasizes openness, with a flowing circulation that connects the interior to the exterior. Large floor-to-ceiling windows provide a clear view of the courtyard, enhancing the sense of openness. Classroom areas are zoned based on functionality, with clear and simple pathways to ensure efficient movement throughout the space.
- Tags
- Chinese Culture, Oriental Aesthetics, Tai Chi Design, Taiwan, Tunghai University, Eco-friendly Building Materials.
- Production Technology
- The natural wood veneer was used as a decorative material for the ceiling and window frames, while the original terrazzo flooring was preserved in the public areas, emphasizing the use of eco-friendly and sustainable materials. The color scheme of the design was inspired by the Tai Chi concept, creating a striking contrast between light and dark. Pure white tones were chosen to evoke a bright and open atmosphere, while the darker areas feature cool shades of deep gray and iron gray, balancing with the white. This contrast conveys both traditional Chinese aesthetics and modern design sensibilities.
- Design Challenge
- The renovation preserved the original terrazzo flooring and brick walls, which had a height difference that required careful restoration. Terrazzo, a signature material in Taiwan, was chosen to create a space that connects international students with local culture. In the classrooms, suspended lighting was installed to ensure even illumination and minimize shadows, enhancing the learning experience. This thoughtful lighting design was planned from the beginning to prioritize functionality and comfort, ensuring an optimal environment for students.
- Project Duration
- The project finished in July 2024 in Taiwan.
- Operation Flow
- The feedback from users has been overwhelmingly positive. Teachers and students alike have commented that the new design creates a brighter, more open learning environment while retaining distinctive Chinese and Taiwanese elements. The large floor-to-ceiling windows have improved the previously dim atmosphere, making the classrooms feel more spacious and comfortable. Students particularly appreciate the Chinese aesthetics, finding the space not only conducive to learning but also relaxing, with the lounge and reading areas enhancing their overall experience.
- Research
- The project renovates a university's Chinese department to blend traditional Chinese culture with modern design, appealing to international students. Inspired by Chinese architecture and Taiwanese elements, the designers incorporate Tai Chi imagery and cultural symbols from Taiwan, creating a modern learning space rich in Chinese aesthetics. The open-plan design allows for fluid circulation, with large windows bringing natural light and connecting to a central courtyard. The color scheme reflects Tai Chi's balance, while sustainable design creates a scholarly atmosphere for students.
- Inspiration
- The school, while upholding the traditional aesthetics of Chinese culture, aimed for the new space to have a more international appeal, enhancing interaction and exchange among students. In the early stages, the designers studied the architectural style of the campus, reinterpreting traditional wooden eaves structures while preserving elements of sandalwood and terrazzo to achieve a seamless blend of old and new. The project, much like the yin-yang concept in Chinese aesthetics, embodies balance and harmony throughout the design.
- Image Credits
- Tsong Yo Interior Design
Colors of Language Center Shared Space
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