Framed Sanctuary: Minimalist Living Redefined in Taipei

Chien Hao Tseng’s award-winning interior balances structure, light, and tranquility

Framed Sanctuary, designed by architect Chien Hao Tseng with creative direction from Tzu Yu Liu, reimagines urban living through the lens of minimalist design. Drawing on the Japanese principle of Ma—which emphasizes the interplay between space and emptiness—the project explores how structure, light, and material transitions can foster a sense of calm and clarity in a dense city environment. The result is a home that invites contemplation, seamlessly blending form and function.

Central to the design is a custom-fabricated, ultra-slim 1.5 cm steel frame system. This innovative framework defines spatial boundaries without the need for traditional walls, allowing natural light to become an active compositional element. Shadows shift across raw concrete and warm oak flooring, while the monochrome palette of black steel, concrete, and wood creates a harmonious visual rhythm. The absence of partitions encourages fluid movement and interaction, supporting both solitude and social connection.

Technical precision underpins the project’s aesthetic clarity. The integration of steel, concrete, and wood required advanced engineering, with each material junction meticulously prototyped and tested for strength and seamlessness. The lightweight steel frames are wall-mounted and engineered to support heavy objects, ensuring both visual lightness and structural reliability. This careful attention to detail allows the minimalist vision to flourish without compromise.

Adaptive reuse is at the heart of Framed Sanctuary. By transforming an outdated apartment layout, the design demonstrates how older urban spaces can be revitalized for contemporary lifestyles. Research into spatial behavior and lighting informed the reconfiguration, optimizing daylight access and circulation. The resulting environment promotes emotional well-being, offering framed views and inviting daily rituals that enhance quality of life.

Framed Sanctuary has garnered international recognition, receiving the Bronze A' Design Award for its creative ingenuity and technical excellence. The project stands as a testament to the power of minimalist design to elevate everyday living, blending art, architecture, and innovation in a way that is both timeless and deeply relevant to modern urban life.

As cities continue to densify, projects like Framed Sanctuary offer a blueprint for creating tranquil, inspiring interiors that prioritize both structure and serenity. Chien Hao Tseng’s vision demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform not only spaces, but also the rhythms and rituals of daily existence.