Urban Zen Àgbékalẹ̀ Inú Ilé Gbígbé by Kai-Jung Chen and Tzu-Hsin Chou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Idẹ A' Design Award in Àpẹẹrẹ Àyà Inú Ilé àti Ibi Àfihàn Competition Category.
IdẹInú Ilé· 2026
Urban Zen Àgbékalẹ̀ Inú Ilé Gbígbé
by Kai-Jung Chen and Tzu-Hsin Chou
Client: MUSA International Design Interior Decoration Co., Ltd.
Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Idẹ A' Design Award Winner in Inú Ilé Category
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About Urban Zen Àgbékalẹ̀ Inú Ilé Gbígbé
Urban Zen jẹ́ àgbékalẹ̀ inú ilé fún ilé gbígbé kan tí ó tóbi tó mítà onígun mẹ́rin 115.7 ní Taiwan. Iṣẹ́ akanṣe yìí so ìgbé ayé òde òní ti ìlú ńlá pọ̀ mọ́ ẹ̀wà Zen ti Japan. Fèrèsé ìwòran yìnyín pẹ̀lú àwọn ìṣí tí a lè ṣàtúnṣe ń ṣàkóso ìmọ́lẹ̀ ọ̀sán àti àwọn ìran tí a gbé sínú férémù. Yàrá tatami kan ń pèsè ibi ìdákẹ́jẹ́ẹ́ fún àwọn àlejò àti ìṣàrò. Àwọn àwọ̀ igi tí ó lọ́wọ́rọ́ fẹ́ẹ́rẹ́fẹ́ ní yàrá ìgbọ̀nsẹ̀ àti yàrá ìjẹun ṣùgbọ́n wọ́n ṣú dúdú síi ní àwọn yàrá ìsùn. Àwọn ohun èlò náà ní àwọn kọ́bọ́ọ̀dù tí kò ní formaldehyde, àwọn pánẹ́ẹ̀lì calcium silicate, igi gidi àti laminate agbára-ìfúnpọ̀ gíga nínú. A kọ́ ọ̀nà ìrìn fún ẹranko ọ̀sìn àti igi kan sáàárín àwọn kọ́bọ́ọ̀dù fún ológbò tí ó ń gbé nínú ilé náà.
The Recognition
About the Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Idẹ A' Design Award
Urban Zen Àgbékalẹ̀ Inú Ilé Gbígbé jẹ́ olùborí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Idẹ A' Design Award, ìdánimọ̀ olókìkí gan-an tí a fún àwọn àwòṣe tó tayọ tí wọ́n yàtọ̀ nípasẹ̀ ìṣẹ̀dá, àrékérekè àti ọgbọ́n inú. Àwọn olùborí Idẹ jẹ́ àwọn ohun èlò tó ní ìjáfáfá gan-an tí wọ́n sì ní ìṣẹ̀dá tó yani lẹ́nu tí wọ́n ń ṣe ẹ̀rí ìrírí gbígbòòrò, ìrònú àti ọgbọ́n àwọn olùṣàwòṣe wọn. A retí pé Urban Zen Àgbékalẹ̀ Inú Ilé Gbígbé yóò jẹ́ ohun tí a kà sí gidigidi, tí a gbóríyìn fún tí a sì nífẹ̀ẹ́, tó jẹ́ ti ọ̀jáfáfá lọ́nà tó ṣe pàtàkì tó sì ní ìmúṣẹ̀dá tuntun. Àwòṣe tó borí Àmì-ẹ̀yẹ Idẹ A' Design Award yìí ń kó àwọn ọ̀nà tó dára jùlọ nínú iṣẹ́ ọnà, sáyẹ́ǹsì, àwòṣe àti ìmọ̀-ẹ̀rọ jọ, ó sì tayọ nítorí àfiyèsí rẹ̀ sí àwọn àlàyé kékeré. Urban Zen Àgbékalẹ̀ Inú Ilé Gbígbé ń tẹ́ àwọn ohun tí a nílò lọ́rùn lọ́nà àgbàyanu, ó ń fọwọ́ kan àwọn ìfẹ́ inú, ó ń gbà ọkàn ó sì ń fa ìfẹ́ láti mọ̀ mọ́ra.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- The project integrates Japanese Zen aesthetics, especially the concept of yukimi. A snow-viewing window with adjustable openings creates shifting light and shadow; fully raised, it frames the snow outside, while lowered, it preserves calm serenity. A tatami room welcomes guests for meditation, offering a pure Zen retreat. Considering the owner's cat, designers embedded a pet walkway and a tree between cabinets. Laminated finishes ensure safety and ease of movement, blending feline comfort with spatial design and fostering harmony between people and pets.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The site is 115.7 square meters. There are three rooms: a living room, a dining room, and two bathrooms, including a master bedroom, a second bedroom, and a study room. In terms of layout changes, the designers changed the original rectangular kitchen into an L-shape to increase space and functionality. The living room and dining room were also reconfigured to better suit the owner's lifestyle. In the private area, each room has a window and is in a dark tone, with acoustic curtains to create a serene atmosphere.
- Tags
- Japanese design, Zen style, Yukimi windows, grilles, wood tones, pet-friendly, customized remodeling
- Production Technology
- The project adopts eco-friendly materials, including formaldehyde-free system cabinets, calcium silicate panels, tawny mirrors, solid wood, and high-pressure laminate. Warm wood tones define the palette: lighter shades in social areas like the living and dining rooms enhance openness and brightness, while darker tones in bedrooms foster calm and focus. Solid wood, left unpainted, ensures cat-friendly safety by reducing ingestion risks. The overall materiality balances aesthetics, sustainability, and harmonious living with pets.
- Design Challenge
- Most furniture and fixtures were custom-made, including windows and tatami mats. The designers coordinated closely with carpenters to align schedules and ensure precision. Uneven wall surfaces required careful adjustments, especially during window installation, to prevent issues such as handle collisions. As the owners' ideas were initially unclear, the designers guided them through discussions to articulate their needs. This process ensured that practical solutions, aesthetic details, and the final atmosphere aligned with the owners' vision.
- Research
- Titled Urban Zen, the project is a customized renovation reflecting the owner's preference for Japanese aesthetics. Drawing from Zen wood patterns and totems, the designers created an elegant, harmonious atmosphere. Elements such as sequential grilles and delicate window motifs echo Yukimi's casual style, blending simplicity with warmth. Neutral tones welcome daylight, while open social areas frame unobstructed views. Built-in cabinets integrate pet-friendly features, allowing daily life and serenity to coexist, slowing the city's pace within a tranquil, Zen-inspired home.
- Inspiration
- The inspiration comes from the owners' love of the Japanese Zen style, especially their appreciation of the culture and style when they traveled to Japan. As a result, the designers aimed to create a residence that combines urban modernity with Japanese Zen style, allowing the owners to enjoy a vacation-like atmosphere at home. Iconic elements such as grilles, wood grain, Yukimi windows, and tatami mats make the space aesthetically pleasing yet functional and pet-friendly.
- Project Duration
- The project finished in May 2024 in Taiwan.
- Operation Flow
- Owners give very positive feedback on the project. In particular, they appreciate the Japanese Zen style of modern living. The simplicity and calmness of the Japanese style can be felt in every corner of the home. Both the decoration and the functionality are very well thought out. When the windows are open, one can see the breeze, and when the windows are closed, one can enjoy the tranquility. For a cat-loving family, the designers skillfully integrated the cat's activity area into the design, allowing the cat to move freely in all spaces and increasing the cozy atmosphere.
- Team Members
- Kai-Jung Chen, Tzu-Hsin Chou
- Image Credits
- MUSA International Design Interior Decoration Co., Ltd.
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