Press Release
Amber Chou Is Honored with the A' Design Award for Ink Shadow Residence in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
Amber Chou acknowledged for interior space and exhibition design by the international grand jury of the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 24, 2026 /DesignNewswire/ Ink Shadow Residence by Amber Chou, designed for WooAn Design Factory, has been granted the A' Design Award in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design category, A' Design Award & Competition has announced. The recognition forms part of the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition and was determined through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who scored anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
About the A' Design Award
The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.
Regarding Ink Shadow Residence
Ink Shadow is a residential interior design for a 33 square meter apartment in Taiwan. The layout follows an N-shaped wall arrangement that separates social and private zones. A desk, a sofa and a display area form the social space, while a bedroom with a dressing area sits at the rear. Curved walls guide circulation between the two areas. A raised seating platform adds a sense of ritual. Dark marble, biomorphic stone and metal set a deep tone, while laminate flooring and textiles add warmth. Smart lighting adjusts color and brightness.
About Amber Chou
WooAn Design Factory was established in 2018 with the belief that a space is more than just a place to live; it is an extension of emotion and a realization of dreams. We take a people-centered approach, using what we call 'warm design' to deeply understand each client’s lifestyle, preferences, and needs. By doing so, we transform dreams into personalized spaces that reflect individual aspirations and incorporate unique design elements. Dedicated to innovation, we continuously explore new materials, techniques, and styles, striving to create timeless works with distinctive craftsmanship.
Award Record
This recognition makes Amber Chou a winner of 1 A' Design Award.
About the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award
The A' Interior Design Award is an international interior design competition recognizing good interior designs by interior designers and architects worldwide. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to interior designers, interior architects, architects and decorators from all countries. Typical entries include residential interiors, restaurants, hotels, offices, galleries and retail stores. The awarded interior designs are published at https://dezigners.org/design-category/interior
About A' Design Award & Competition
Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is to advance society through good design, by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, uploading a work and receiving a preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://dezigners.org/174495
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/174495
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!174495
- Laureate Profile: https://dezigners.org/d/370820
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
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Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Ink Shadow Residence
- Function
- Residence
- Category
- Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Discipline
- Spatial Design
- Industry
- Architecture and Packaging & Retail
- Colors
- Dark Slate Gray, Black, Dim Gray, Gray and Dark Gray
- Images
- 5
- Client
- WooAn Design Factory
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Amber Chou
- Country
- Taiwan (China)
- Recognition
- A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2025 - 2026
- Design ID
- #174495
Credits
- Image Credits
- WooAn Design Factory
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- This 33-square-meter space embodies the idea of 'living within one's time zone.' A raised seating platform creates a lounge-like atmosphere, offering a subtle sense of ritual. Dark marble behind the TV and on the desktop adds depth and elegance, expanding the visual sense of space. An intelligent lighting system adjusts color and brightness, casting layered shadows on iron and stone. A recessed LED strip enhances the mood, transforming the space with ease for solitude or social moments.
- Inspiration
- Modern life brings an overwhelming flow of information, leading many to crave a space for quiet and relaxation. This project introduces the idea of a 'Personal Time Capsule,' a retreat where the owner can pause and reset. Whether admiring personal collectibles or simply enjoying stillness, the space supports peaceful solitude. A calm, pure color palette pairs with rich materials in balanced contrast, creating a soothing environment where serenity is preserved, even amid the noise of the outside world.
- Research
- 'Ink and Shadow' is a ten-ping urban retreat designed as a 'Personal Time Capsule.' A dark palette of marble, biomorphic stone, and iron creates a refined, steady mood. The raised sofa platform adds a ceremonial touch, while smart lighting brings the space to life with color and brightness shifts. Laminate flooring and artistic paint warm the cool tones. Biomorphic stone and iron on the sofa wall reflect a tough yet sensitive spirit. This haven invites calm, ideal for solitude, reflection, or cinematic escape.
- Challenge
- The site is an old apartment with narrow staircases and an irregular layout, creating major construction challenges. The staircase, just over 50 cm wide, made transporting large materials difficult, requiring crane use. Uneven walls and floors also demanded precise coordination among trades to ensure smooth transitions and clean finishes. To avoid a heavy feel from the dark palette, the designer focused on light variation and layering, effectively overcoming spatial limits and achieving a balanced, refined result.
- Realization and Technology
- This project features a deep-toned palette using marble, biomorphic stone, and metal to create a refined yet grounded ambiance. The wall by the sofa is clad in biomorphic stone, hiding beams while integrating a 30 cm-deep display cabinet. Rugged textures contrast with fine metal inlays, reflecting the owner's strong yet sensitive nature. Warmth is added through laminate flooring, textiles, and artistic paint finishes. Smart lighting and a Sony Bar 8 speaker elevate the space with an immersive cinematic experience.
- Operation and Interaction
- After completion, the homeowner shared that the deep-toned space felt like a true 'getaway from the everyday hustle.' Though separated by just a single door, stepping inside created a sense of calm, completely shutting out the outside world. It became a retreat for enjoying personal interests, admiring collectibles, or relaxing to music. The family also gathers here to unwind together. The designer felt that this heartfelt feedback perfectly captured the original goal: to create a peaceful haven for everyday escape.
- Project Duration and Location
- The project finished in January 2025 in Taiwan.
- Specifications
- This 33-square-meter, 40-year-old apartment was reimagined with an N-shaped wall layout to redefine spatial flow. The original partitions were removed, allowing the designer to separate social and private zones. A desk, sofa, and display area form the social space, while the rear houses a master bedroom with a dressing area. Curved walls subtly divide the functions, creating a smooth transition and enhancing circulation. The result is a layered, airy interior that feels both spacious and cohesive.
- Keywords
- Dark Color, N-shaped Pattern, Biomorphic Stone, Smart Lighting Control, Tunnel, Sense of Ritual, Old apartment, Environmentally Friendly Materials
