Bronze Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2025
Layers of Mountains Interior Design
by Yi-Lun Hsu
- A' Design Award 2025 Bronze Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: Minature Interior Design Ltd.
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 10,219
- Verification code 10608D2401 · Verify this award
About Layers of Mountains Interior Design
Layers of Mountains is a residential interior of 100 square meters in Miaoli County, Taiwan. The design turns the surrounding mountains and rivers into continuous flowing lines within the home. Earth toned artistic paint covers the walls and echoes the nature seen through the windows. A three tiered ceiling conceals the large beams, the air conditioning, the energy recovery ventilator and the air purifier, so the main living space keeps a greater clear height. The elongated plan is divided into a dust area, a living room facing the ridges, an island dining area and a kitchen.
Yi-Lun Hsu's Layers of Mountains Interior Design engages with contemporary spatial design traditions that seek to reconcile the functional demands of compact residential living with an elevated aesthetic sensibility rooted in material authenticity and biophilic connection, positioning itself within the broader discourse of organic modernism that has characterized progressive interior architecture over recent decades, particularly those movements emphasizing the integration of natural elements, restrained material palettes, and the cultivation of atmospheric tranquility within densely populated environments where domestic space serves as essential refuge from urban intensity. The compositional achievement of this interior environment demonstrates sophisticated understanding of spatial layering and visual flow, establishing a clear hierarchy of zones through subtle shifts in material application, ceiling articulation, and furnishing arrangement rather than through disruptive physical partitions, allowing the eye to move fluidly from the intimate dining area through the transitional circulation corridor toward the living zone and ultimately to the daylight-filled exterior connection, a progression that creates experiential richness within relatively modest square footage through carefully calibrated sightlines and proportional relationships. The chromatic accomplishment resides in the designer's disciplined restraint, deploying an analogous palette of warm earth tones punctuated by the cool contrast of the marble surface and the verdant accent of living plants, creating visual coherence while avoiding monotony through subtle variations in hue temperature and textural expression, the pale blonde flooring establishing a luminous base that reflects and diffuses both natural and artificial light throughout the volume, amplifying the sense of spaciousness and airiness essential to successful compact residential design. Technical facility manifests in the precise detailing of the ceiling plane, where the alternating rhythm of warm wood and matte black linear elements creates dynamic visual interest overhead without overwhelming the horizontal living plane below, the integrated lighting system providing both functional illumination and sculptural punctuation, the recessed fixtures positioned to highlight specific zones and create gentle pools of warmth that invite occupation and activity. The thematic content of this environment appears to explore the possibility of cultivating tranquility, material beauty, and connection to natural rhythms within contemporary residential contexts, celebrating the rituals of daily domestic life through spatial and material choices that elevate ordinary activities into moments worthy of attention and appreciation, the dining table positioned to capture both the intimate foreground experience and the broader spatial vista beyond, the living area oriented toward the exterior view and the influx of natural light, suggesting a design philosophy that honors both interiority and exteriority, both gathering and solitude, both activity and contemplation. The integration of botanical elements, the careful modulation of natural and artificial illumination, and the emphasis on honest material expression evoke certain principles associated with biophilic design theory and Japanese spatial aesthetics, traditions that recognize the psychological and physiological benefits of maintaining sensory connection to natural phenomena even within built environments, the delicate foliage arrangements introducing organic irregularity and temporal change into the geometric order of the architectural container, reminding occupants of growth cycles, seasonal shifts, and the living world beyond the walls. One might observe how the design invites consideration of what constitutes essential luxury in contemporary residential life, whether opulence resides in excessive ornamentation and material accumulation or whether it might instead be found in spatial clarity, material honesty, generous natural light, thoughtful proportions, and the creation of environments that support both social connection and reflective solitude, spaces that feel simultaneously finished and ongoing, complete yet responsive to the evolving needs and experiences of those who inhabit them daily, encouraging viewers to contemplate the role of design in shaping not merely functional shelter but meaningful domestic experience.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Miaoli County is known as the "Mountain City" due to its unique natural landscape. This project is inspired by this characteristic, transforming the undulating 'mountains' and flowing 'rivers' of the site into continuous, flowing three-dimensional lines within the interior. The rich layers and depth in the elongated space direct the visual focus towards the natural mountain ridges outside the window.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- This space is 100 square meters.
- Tags
- Interior Design, Residence, WELL
- Production Technology
- Below the mountain ridges lies fertile soil. The walls of the entire room are painted in earth tones to echo the lush nature outside the window. The earthy-toned artistic paint illuminated by natural light, evokes the rugged essence of the natural landscape, embodying a simple yet timeless quality.
- Design Challenge
- By employing a three-tiered ceiling design, the air purifier, ERV, air condition, and large beams are cleverly hidden within the dining area ceiling, thereby maximizing the clear height in the main living space.
- Project Duration
- The project finished in July 2024 in Miaoli County, Taiwan.
- Operation Flow
- To accommodate the elongated living space, the public areas are divided into functional zones that are both fluid and capable of operating independently, including:
1. The dust area between outdoor and indoor
2. A living room with a view of the mountains and relaxation
3. The island and dining area for light meals and drinks
4. Stir-fried Kitchen - Research
- This project adheres to the concepts of the WELL Building Standard®, aiming to utilize design interventions, including concepts related to air, water, light, and materials, to achieve sustainable coexistence between the environment and people.
1. Using ERV and an air purifier to maintain indoor ventilation and air exchange.
2. Adoption of whole-house water purification and under-sink water purification systems to filter impurities, scale, residual chlorine, and heavy metals from water.
3. The tiles have been selected to meet the EU Ecolabel standards for recycled green building materials. The wall paint contains natural stucco, and the cabinets feature panels from an FSC-certified low-formaldehyde system to reduce concentrations of chemical contaminants. - Inspiration
- Original intention:
While gazing at the mountain ridges, create an environment within the interior where people coexist with nature.
Visual axis and circulation arrangement:
1.Using continuous, flowing lines visually, extend the occupants' view from the interior to the expansive mountain scenery outside the window.
2.In response to the elongated living space, create funtional zones that are both fluid and capable of operating independently. - Image Credits
- Photographer:Chi-Shou Wang
- Patents
- Copyrights belong to Minature Interior Design Ltd., 2024.
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Sustainable Interior Design for Modern Living
We transform residential spaces through nature-inspired design, integrating WELL Building Standard principles with award-winning expertise. Our approach harmonizes human comfort with environmental consciousness, creating interiors that connect occupants with natural surroundings while ensuring…
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