Retro Song of New York: A Symphony of Design

Exploring Benson Wu's Award-Winning Residential Design

The Retro Song of New York is not merely a residential house; it is a physical manifestation of the owners' life experiences, unique character, and story. The design inspiration stems from the owners' encounter in New York, with the city's memory serving as a foundation for the design. The house is a unique blend of warm vintage industrial style and modern grand style, representing the owners' compromise and tolerance.

What sets this design apart is its user-friendly flow and emphasis on the comfort of the public space. The fragmented layout of the original construction was reimagined, with the interior partition wall removed and the layout and space ratio rearranged. The living room and dining room have no ceiling, and the bare wall is painted dark grey to heighten and extend the ceiling. The dark wood pattern extends from the living room and dining room to the corridor, blurring the space division and creating a broad feeling.

The design also incorporates innovative techniques. The slate at the entrance extends from the shoe cabinet to the front door's opposite, cut into an irregular pattern to exhibit a visual aesthetic level. The walls on either side of the French window are paved with old bricks, with the area cladding of the corner and window frame precisely calculated, testing the workers' techniques.

The design also takes into account family and parent-child interactions. The original partition wall of the enclosed kitchen was replaced by a sliding door to keep cooking smells from entering the public area. A kitchen island faces the corridor and the dining room, allowing the female owner to interact with the family in the public area while cooking.

The Retro Song of New York is a testament to Benson Wu's ability to overcome design challenges. The original layout was chaotic, and the task of integrating the styles favored by the male and female owner into different fields was a complex one. Moreover, the design had to reproduce New York scenes, taking historical and social perspectives into consideration. The angles and sizes when putting together the materials for the wall also posed a technical challenge.

This design was recognized for its outstanding expertise and innovation, winning the Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2019. The Retro Song of New York is indeed a symphony of design, a harmonious blend of aesthetics, function, and personal narrative.