Exclamation Mark: A Bold, Creative Residential Design

Haungshi Chu's Award-Winning Design Transforms Limited Space into a Unique Living Experience

Haungshi Chu's design inspiration for the "Exclamation Mark" project stemmed from the challenge of creating a practical, visually expansive home within the constraints of limited urban space. The design employs a vertically upward approach, dividing and reorganizing the original space. The result is a series of different 'life fields' connected by a rise-and-fall stair extension and a diagonal line, creating a leisurely and relaxing atmosphere.

The unique properties of this design lie in its boldness and creativity. The family residing in this space desired a home that was not just functional, but also a reflection of their creative spirit. The design caters to the owner's need for ample storage for his collections and bicycles, as well as an open space for entertaining guests. The smooth flow of the design, guided by an arc line, leads to different fields within the home, offering a unique living experience.

The realization of this design involved a careful reconfiguration of the original space. The entrance leads to the indoor space, with stairs connecting the different fields. The wall serves a dual purpose, providing storage and display functions. A large wooden mass at the center of the field serves as a TV wall on one side and a book wall and storage on the other. The kitchen partition was removed to create a large open space, and the dining room features a table that can be automatically elevated and lowered, offering flexibility in arranging the table setting according to the number of guests.

The design specifications focus on a white and light color palette with wood patterns. The TV wall, made of dyed white oak, serves as a visual focal point. The design employs diagonal lines to connect the space and reduce sharpness. The upper part of the façade features a diagonal line with an arc-wrapped side, accompanied by a hollowed-out exclamation mark style, reflecting the refreshing and neat space characteristic.

The "Exclamation Mark" project, which was completed between September 2017 and March 2018 in Taipei, is a testament to Haungshi Chu's innovative approach to design. Despite the challenges of limited space, the design successfully creates a unique space that meets the owner's expectations, incorporating all life fields and fully accommodating the owner's interests.