Reunion: A Multifunctional Residential Apartment

An Innovative Design by Cheng Hou Lin

Reunion stands out with its dual-axis migration design, which seamlessly integrates various areas into a cohesive whole. The centerpiece of the apartment is the dining kitchen, where the kitchen island is combined with the table to create a core space for entertaining and interacting. This design choice not only enhances the living function of the apartment but also promotes social dynamics and statics, giving the entire space a flexible and transparent, yet comfortable and stress-free ambiance.

The realization of Reunion is made possible through careful consideration of dining, entertainment, and sports. By removing unnecessary partitions, Cheng Hou Lin has created one open public zone that encompasses the dining kitchen, audio-visual room, and multifunctional yoga room. The layered ceiling eliminates the discomfort caused by crossbeams, resulting in a tidy and visually appealing space. Additionally, hidden compartments behind the walls provide storage, warehouse, bathroom, and cooking kitchen functionalities, ensuring that the apartment remains well-organized and functional.

Reunion's technical specifications emphasize a refreshing and uncluttered feel. The designer achieves this by hiding cabinet doors and bathroom entrances, creating a calm and tidy appearance. The use of white tones and natural materials such as timber and stone enhances the brightness of the space, while a black glass sliding door serves as a subtle partition that can be opened or closed depending on daily routines.

The social dining kitchen is the heart of Reunion, encouraging open and engaging interactions between people. By utilizing open spaces and floor-raising techniques, the apartment allows for comfortable seating on the floor, even when guests are spread across different venues such as the audio-visual room and multifunctional areas. This design choice fosters a breezy atmosphere and keeps the layout as open as possible, promoting social connections and reducing distance between individuals.

Reunion was completed in April 2020 in Taiwan after a project duration of two months. The design was inspired by the desire to bring people back to the most primitive form of interaction in the digital era. By removing partitions and creating a partition-free zone, Cheng Hou Lin aims to encourage users to put down their electronic devices and focus on genuine human connections. The challenges of indoor beams were overcome by creating a high-low ceiling model that resolves visual barriers and introduces ample light and air into the space, ensuring comfort and well-being.

Reunion has been recognized for its excellence and innovation, receiving the Iron A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category in 2021. This prestigious award is given to designs that meet professional and industrial requirements, integrating best practices and technical characteristics to create fulfilling and positive spaces that contribute to a better world.