Imagination within Inches: A Masterpiece by Alfie Shao

Exploring the Intersection of Art, Architecture, and Personal Identity

Alfie Shao's design, "Imagination within Inches," is a reflection of the owner's personal taste and corporate identity. Drawing inspiration from textiles, a material Shao describes as "full of life," the design creates an intimate universe that represents the owner's personal style. The organic deformations of textiles, from wrinkles to curvatures, are mirrored in the non-linear forms of the space, creating a world that is uniquely the owner's.

The design breaks the hierarchy of spaces, spreading spatial objects throughout the area and creating surprises even in the most insignificant corners. Hidden doors emphasize public spaces, and the organization of space objects builds narratives that belong to the spaces. The design is a testament to the belief that the fun of life should occur everywhere in our living spaces.

Shao's design process involved observation, realization, and imagination. The non-linear forms were inspired by the wrinkles of fabrics, reflecting an interest in non-Euclidean geometrical spaces. The resulting design captures a movement in time, creating a series of spatial objects that link to the senses of movement, landscape, equipment, wall, or furniture. The space becomes a surreal, poetic landscape.

The design covers 1100 square meters and was completed in March 2015 in Taoyuan City, Taiwan. The project involved many discussions with the owner, who agreed to sacrifice some of the floor space at the second floor to create an eight-meter-height open space. A large space object was installed in this open space, creating a show between light and wrinkles that tells stories.

One of the design's unique features is a customized couch at the reception room in the first floor. It is full of dynamic curvatures that reflect the subtlety of calligraphy. In this calm space, the curvatures reflect the hard and soft lines in the art of calligraphy. The design blends everyday living and nature into a poetic atmosphere around the user and the space.

Alfie Shao's "Imagination within Inches" was awarded Silver in A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2017. The award recognizes top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. Shao's design, admired for its strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcases a remarkable level of excellence and introduces positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.