Lakeside Lodge: A Modern Zen Retreat

An Eco-Friendly Residential Design by Zhe Wei Liao

To cater to both residential and entertaining needs, the Lakeside Lodge features an open kitchen that seamlessly integrates with the living room, creating a teppanyaki area. This clever design choice blurs the boundaries between living and dining spaces, allowing for easy flow and interaction. The overall space is meticulously planned, with a geometric combination of long sofas, tables, and cabinets that extend the visual movement and enhance functionality. The result is a flexible and harmonious space that encourages social interaction and provides a visually spacious experience.

One of the unique features of the Lakeside Lodge is the use of materials to create a sensory experience. Users can enjoy sitting or lying on a carpet that mimics the feeling of grass, while the wood cabinets and emerald marble flooring evoke the imagery of trees and fruits. To counteract the potentially oppressive feeling of the ceiling and to pay homage to the lakeside, mirrored metals were used to cover the corridors, creating a reflective space that expands and extends the overall ambiance.

With an interior space of 75 square meters, the Lakeside Lodge creates a sense of release and calmness through its low-convergence spatial tone. The reflective surfaces not only diffuse the natural colors of the house but also contribute to the illusion of a larger space. The design took into account the configuration and future maintenance of the teppanyaki equipment, exhaust pipes, and other elements, resulting in a spacious and clean layout with a smooth flow.

The Lakeside Lodge project was completed in September 2020 in Hsinchu, Taiwan. It stands as a testament to the innovative approach taken by Zhe Wei Liao, who prioritized the use of existing materials to tell a unique story about the space. Overcoming challenges such as insect damage and cracks in the old wood stock, the design team maximized the usage of these materials, resulting in a functional and beautiful design.

The Lakeside Lodge has been recognized for its excellence and creativity, receiving the Iron A' Design Award in 2021. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate practicality, innovation, and adherence to professional and industrial requirements. The Lakeside Lodge stands as a shining example of a well-designed space that integrates industry best practices and provides a fulfilling and positive experience for its inhabitants.