Sounds of Silence: A Tranquil Residential Apartment

Creating a Peaceful Oasis in the Heart of Taichung City

This unique project, designed by Auster Po-Hung Hsin and Willy Yan-Wei Liao, utilizes the existing building condition to extend light and greenery into the interior space. The dining, living, and study areas are combined and treated as one large open space, fostering a sense of togetherness and bonding for the family. The simplicity of the ceiling form creates a calm and quiet tone, allowing the occupants to relax and feel at ease.

The external view of the apartment is adorned with beautiful landscaping, framing the large curtain wall of the living room like a picture frame. This design choice allows the occupants to enjoy natural sunlight and cozy reading spots. The high uniform ceiling height enables sunlight to cast into every corner of the space, making it truly appreciated.

With an internal space of 115 square meters, the Sounds of Silence apartment offers a modern, minimalist interior design that embraces open space and apartment living. The design team, consisting of Auster Po-Hung Hsin and Willy Yan-Wei Liao, meticulously crafted a sense of ritual upon entering the apartment. A buffer door separates the entry corridor from the living room area, creating a transition from a darker theme to a bright, expansive living space. The sunlight shines through the semi-transparent door, guiding the occupants into a space where activities such as reading, writing, drinking, eating, and music can all take place, bringing family members closer to one another.

The Sounds of Silence project began in October 2019 and was completed in January 2020. Throughout the design process, the team conducted extensive research and exchanged knowledge with the owner to gain deep insights into their passions and love for building landscaping. These passions were then expressed through the design, emphasizing the importance of family relationships.

Overcoming various challenges, the designers successfully reimagined the layout of the living room and study room, making the large window view the focal point. Previously exposed beams of different heights were covered with a consistent ceiling height, highlighting the contrast of colors between the ceiling and joinery. The wall material extends the relevance of different materials and softens the intensity of the kitchen and dining room. The materiality and color composition emphasize the dining space's ability to transform into a multi-functional area at different times of the day.

The Sounds of Silence apartment is a testament to the power of natural light, casting shadows, and the swaying of bamboo from the external landscape. These elements create a space where people can relax both physically and mentally. Sitting in this tranquil oasis, one can admire the contrasting views of quiet bamboo and the high-density urban neighborhood, transforming the view into a quiet and alive painting. The living room, the heart of the apartment, gathers the family together, allowing their souls to feel at ease.

Image Credits: Chiu Hao Yu

Intellectual Property Notice: Copyrights belong to Heng G Design Studio

Awards and Accolades: The Sounds of Silence project was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category in 2022. This prestigious award recognizes outstanding and creatively ingenious designs that authenticate experience and resourcefulness. Esteemed for incorporating best practices in art, science, design, and technology, these designs exhibit strong technical and creative skills and contribute to quality of life improvements, making the world a better place.