XY Pivot: A Masterpiece of Small-Space Design

Cheng-Yuan Huang's Award-Winning Design Maximizes Space in Crowded Taipei

The inspiration for XY Pivot was born out of the need to create a functional and comfortable living space in the crowded city of Taipei. The design's unique properties lie in its ability to visually enlarge the indoor space. This is achieved by extending the length of the table to reach the balcony, creating a multi-functional space suitable for dining, working, or leisure. The clever use of floor elevation differences between the indoor space and the balcony further enhances this effect.

XY Pivot is realized using a variety of materials, including iron metal, grey tile, wood-pieces, glasses, steel, and wood flooring. Despite its small site area of 33 sq.m, the design encompasses a hallway, living room, dining room, kitchen, working area, bathroom, and bedroom. The design's extension from inside to outside, combined with the owner's needs, provides a sense of space even within a small area.

The design process, which took place from October 2015 to February 2016, involved several challenges. The main challenge was to create a sense of movement from inside to outside in a limited space. By extending the dining table and lighting outward, the designers were able to borrow the space outside and bring it indoors. This innovative approach to design has earned XY Pivot recognition in the form of the prestigious Silver A' Design Award.

One of the key features of XY Pivot is its high vertical use of space. The house-owner's demand for book display and collection led to the creation of a book wall in the sitting room, which is combined with an open kitchen. The book wall appears taller with a sliding ladder, further enhancing the vertical use of space. This multifunctional design allows the residents to enjoy meals or work on the dining room table, which extends to the balcony outside, visually enlarging the space.

In conclusion, Cheng-Yuan Huang's XY Pivot is a testament to the potential of small-space design. By extending the indoor space to the outdoors and making clever use of vertical space, this design offers a fresh perspective on living in a crowded city. The design's recognition in the form of the Silver A' Design Award further underscores its innovation and excellence.