Shu-Ching Tan's "Light of Life": A Beacon of Residential Design

Embodying Modernism and Spirituality in a Healing Space

The "Light of Life" is a 238m2 residential house designed for a couple who have devoted 30 years to the fashion manufacturing field. The couple's appreciation for the beauty of craft and their aversion to anything complicated guided Shu-Ching Tan in creating a design that embodies modernism. The designer removed the foyer in the living room and made the illumination of light the focal point of the design. This approach allowed for the creation of an open space that combines the living room and dining room, while also subtly defining different areas without constraining the residents' behaviors.

Shu-Ching Tan's design is not just aesthetically pleasing but also deeply symbolic. The light-formed walkway in the living room serves as an invisible partition between the private and non-private spaces of the residence. This walkway is illuminated by lights that quote verses from John 8:16 of the Holy Bible, transformed into Morse code. This unique feature gives a deeper sense to the concept of going home, implying humanity's essential need to search for the light of life that guides them home.

The designer's meticulous attention to detail is evident in the use of customized light boxes mounted into the wall and ceiling. These light boxes provide different illumination, reflecting on the paint with cement texture and enhancing the different gray scales. The materials used in the design, including slate, metal, Cameroon wooden flooring, marble, tile, faux paint, wood, glass, and Thai silk fabric, were all carefully selected and tested under natural and artificial light before construction.

Despite the challenges posed by the need for precision in material selection and construction methods, Shu-Ching Tan successfully delivered a design that is both functional and meaningful. The designer's dedication to the concept of "form follows function" is evident in every aspect of the design, from the shape and materials used to the arrangement of lighting and the reinforcement of large area materials.

The "Light of Life" design has been recognized for its outstanding creativity and professional excellence, winning the Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2017. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate strong technical characteristics, splendid artistic skill, and a remarkable level of excellence.