Aqua Romance: A Subtle and Luxurious French Neoclassical Apartment Design

Creating a Low-Key Luxury Living Space for a Doctor Couple

The Aqua Romance apartment design is a perfect example of how contrasting styles can be harmoniously integrated to create a truly unique and captivating living space. The man's preference for a subtle and understated minimalist design style is reflected in the emphasis on air circulation, temperature, and humidity. On the other hand, the woman's love for a romantic and luxurious French classical style is showcased through the functional living spaces that cater to her taste and the ability to host family and friends at home.

One of the standout features of Aqua Romance is the soft and elegant French neoclassical style that forms the foundation of this romantic residence. The designers have skillfully incorporated elegant and complex French skirting boards, matching them with ceiling skirting boards to create a cohesive and stylish look. The unity of materials and colors, combined with the open layout of the space, allows for seamless interaction and dialogue between the three different public areas, providing comfort and a sense of connection.

The color palette of Aqua Romance is predominantly gray, with crystal light fixtures adding a touch of sophistication and luxury. The space is adorned with a marble-like tile floor, which further enhances the sense of understated luxury. To cater to the owners' love for Italian wine and artworks, the designers have incorporated artwork into the common bathroom door, adding a unique and artistic touch to the public area.

Technologically, the designers have utilized seamless tiling methods typically used for marble materials to create a beautifully finished floor. This technique gives the tiles the appearance of being whole pieces rather than individual ones, allowing the beautiful pattern to enhance the overall details of the space.

The Aqua Romance apartment design consists of two apartments combined into one, spanning a total area of 204.9 square meters inside and 33 square meters outside. It features four balconies, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a dining room, a wine cellar with a bar, and a kitchen with a European-style dining area and a hot cooking area. The design provides ample space for both personal relaxation and entertaining guests.

One of the design challenges faced by the team was achieving ideal air circulation and air conditioning configuration. To overcome this, all air conditioning systems were installed in the ceiling, ensuring efficient and effective cooling throughout the space. Additionally, the presence of thick beams posed a visual obstacle. To address this, the designers cleverly used the height difference of the ceiling to hide the beams and incorporated a sloping design above the dining room. This raised and extended the view, reducing the sense of oppression and creating a more open and inviting atmosphere.

The Aqua Romance apartment design was completed in May 2021 in Taoyuan, Taiwan. The designer's meticulous research and attention to detail are evident in the carefully chosen color scheme. The use of various shades of gray, particularly the blueish gray tone, perfectly complements the materials and furniture, resulting in a clean and visually pleasing space that exudes elegance.

Overall, Aqua Romance is a testament to the designers' creativity and ability to seamlessly blend contrasting styles. By combining the subtlety of minimalist design with the romance and luxury of French neoclassical style, Vivian Chiu and Ke Ye Wu have created a timeless living space that is both tasteful and textured. Aqua Romance is a true masterpiece that showcases the power of design to transform a space into a haven of comfort, elegance, and romance.

Image Credits: Photographer - Dirk Heindoerfer Photography

Awards and Accolades: Aqua Romance was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category in 2022. This prestigious award recognizes well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. Aqua Romance stands out for its integration of industry best practices, competent technical characteristics, and its contribution to a better world through fulfillment and positive feelings.