Boundless: A Harmonious Blend of Humanities and Community

Peng-Hsu Chen's Award-Winning Design Transforms a Mixed-Use Apartment Building into a Cultural Hub

The building, situated next to the National Taiwan Normal University, is home to many scholars and is surrounded by independent bookstores and galleries. This cultural richness inspired Chen to create Boundless, a design that not only serves as a residential space but also a culture-sharing area for the community. The design features large wooden panels that imitate sections of books, creating a seamless transition from the outside arcade to the main entrance and reception.

The high-ceilinged lobby, surrounded by bookshelves, doubles as a library, inviting occupants and visitors to pick up a book or host community book club events. A translucent divider created by bookshelves separates the lobby from the semi-private elevator hall and mailroom, further enhancing the sense of community.

Chen's design also incorporates innovative materials and technologies. The mirror-finished stainless steel mailboxes in the mailroom, titanium ceiling plate in the elevator hall, and the black copper-free at the fitness/yoga area visually widen the space and blur physical boundaries. Grill patterns and mirror reflections are key elements in the design, serving practical purposes while also creating the impression of piled books.

Despite the challenges of meeting fire safety codes, Chen cleverly integrated the sprinkle system and smoke detector within the grill ceilings in the basement parking lot, the second-floor fitness/yoga room, and meeting room. This not only ensured safety but also maintained the aesthetic integrity of the design.

Boundless was awarded the Golden A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2019, a prestigious accolade granted to outstanding creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. The design embodies extraordinary excellence and significantly impacts the world with its desirable characteristics. The project is a testament to Chen's innovative approach to interior design, where form and function harmoniously blend to create spaces that serve and inspire the community.