Louis Liu Receives the Bronze A' Design Award for Charm House Residence in Interior Space and Exhibition Design

The Work

Project

Charm House Residence

Function

Residence

Category

Interior Space and Exhibition Design

Discipline

Spatial Design

Industry

Architecture and Packaging & Retail

Colors

Silver, Dark Gray, Rosy Brown, Dim Gray and Gray

Images

5

Client

Reflexion Interior Design

The Recognition

Laureate

Louis Liu

Country

Taiwan (China)

Recognition

Bronze A' Design Award

Edition

2024 - 2025

Design ID

#162699

Credits

Image Credits

Reflexion Interior Design

Design Details

Unique Properties

The multi-functional L-shaped entryway cabinet serves as both a partition and storage, defining the entry, reading area, and bathroom while displaying books and items. The frosted glass adds a semi-transparent partition, enhancing natural light and addressing Feng-Shui concerns. To address the narrow space, semi-suspended and floor-standing reflective cabinets create a light feel. The corridor was widened to 160 cm, ensuring ample space for movement even when the dining table and bar stools are fully extended, optimizing the space's functionality.

Inspiration

The site is long. The project is for a couple and a child. The layout results in many sharp corners. To address functionality and spatial continuity, the designer first divided the spaces into areas using block forms and used rounded corners to resolve the sharp angles. The style focuses on gray and white tones, with light shades as the main elements, creating a bright and fresh ambiance. Emphasis was also placed on storage functionality, with a mix of closed and open cabinets creating ample and practical storage space while maintaining a tidy and aesthetic appearance.

Research

The site, an old apartment, is named 'Charm House' for its cozy and comfortable atmosphere. The designer reorganized the space with square layouts and softened raised corners, removing the storage room to create a categorized storage system based on the owner's needs. Light and warm colors flood the space, enhanced by titanium-plated metal and laminated glass for a play of light and shadows. An L-shaped two-way cabinet serves as both storage and a display, ensuring functionality while maintaining the space's charm and balance.

Challenge

The previous owner had renovated the apartment 10 years ago with yellow wood veneer walls and layered ceiling lights, which no longer matched the current owner's needs. The designer preserved the existing layout, including the kitchen and bathroom fixtures, while updating the space to reflect the owner's style. The original flooring and ceiling were replaced, and the guest bathroom entrance was repositioned to avoid conflicts with the dining area. Thoughtful design was applied to ensure a seamless flow and align with the owner's habits, optimizing the small space.

Realization and Technology

Materials: laminate flooring, rounded wood cabinets, system cabinets, iron parts, transparent glass, frosted glass, baking paint, wood grain, titanium plated metal, environmentally friendly latex paint, etc. The entryway features a screen made of frosted glass and a thin titanium-coated metal frame. The glass reduces the visual depth of the cabinet, lessening the sense of visual pressure upon entering. In the reading area, the traditional shelves were replaced with folded metal plates. The unique reflective sheen of the brushed titanium-coated metal adds a touch of brightness to the gray and white-toned space.

Operation and Interaction

The project adopts a 'people-centered' approach, focusing on the residents' daily behaviors. In the 4.29 square meter entrance, actions like turning on lights, placing keys, changing shoes, and storing helmets are designed to flow seamlessly. The kitchen, dining, and reading areas are connected by a hallway, with a newly added bar and L-shaped bookshelf enhancing the reading space. The open area in front of the master bedroom doubles as a music room and can transform into a yoga space, offering multifunctionality for various activities.

Project Duration and Location

The project finished in February 2024 in Taiwan.

Specifications

The project spans 82.6 square meters, including a living room, dining room, kitchen, master bedroom, children's room, and reading area. The original layout had a storage room at the entryway. To maximize space and storage, the designer removed the partition and reconfigured the layout. A small corner by the entryway was transformed into a shoe cabinet with a seating area, while a large wall-mounted cabinet reduced visual clutter and provided ample storage for shoes, enhancing the home's functionality and organization.

Keywords

Light tone, Minimalism, Modern style, Off-white, Curve, Titanium plate metal