Stratification & Border

A Unique Private Residence Design by Steven Chen - Urbane Design

Steven Chen - Urbane Design has created a one-of-a-kind private residence for a single female client who values aesthetics and a free-spirited lifestyle. Inspired by the client's love for beautiful surroundings and her desire for an independent living experience, the design aims to showcase a unique blend of functionality and style.

The key feature of the Stratification & Border design is the blurring of boundaries between open spaces and private areas. By employing a free planar layout, the design seamlessly connects different spaces, allowing for the transformation and expression of various aspects of life through the opening and closing of doors.

The central pillar, which traditionally occupies a prominent position in the interior layout, has been reimagined as a designed axial center of a circle. This innovative approach allows for the outward cutting of open spaces and private areas in a concentric style, creating a stratified extension of functional spaces.

The design incorporates three key materials to bring the concept to life. Fumigated oak provides a steady anchoring effect in the open free plane, enhancing the spiritual temperature of the space. Brown glass creates an open and ambiguous vision, playing with the contrast between clairvoyance and concealment. Finally, the color white is used as a balancing element, creating stability and harmony in the space.

The Stratification & Border design covers an area of 209 sq.m. and was realized using a combination of innovative design techniques and materials. The project started in March 2015 and was completed in January 2016 in Taichung.

One of the design's notable features is the clever use of doorways to emphasize the freedom of movement between different areas. The space is divided into two blocks by different flooring materials, with the living room, study, and master bedroom arranged on one side covered with smoked wood flooring. On the other side, light-colored stones are used to shape beams and columns, creating a "framed landscape" effect.

The circulation of a square pattern formed by surrounding the columns links the kitchen space and the rear reading area, creating a seamless flow throughout the space. Sliding doors with amber glass or mirrors are used as transitions, blurring the boundaries between different areas. The design also allows for extended vision to the outside, creating a sense of connection between each location in the space.

The Stratification & Border design overcame several challenges, including the need for free circulation and operable partitions to transform the space according to different needs. Visual balance was achieved through the use of contrasting colors, materials, and the interplay between real and unreal elements.

This unique private residence design by Steven Chen - Urbane Design has been recognized for its creativity and ingenuity. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in 2017 in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category. This prestigious award honors designs that incorporate best practices in art, science, design, and technology, contributing to quality of life improvements.