Lighting in the Waves: A Harmonious Blend of Architecture and Nature

Exploring Hao Han Chang's Award-Winning Design that Marries Natural Light and Spatial Needs

The apartment, with a depth of twenty-eight meters, is surrounded by windows on all four sides, allowing natural light and air to permeate the space. The design draws inspiration from the colorful clouds at dawn and dusk, introducing the grandeur of natural scenery into the interior. Hao Han Chang's design is a perfect blend of form and function, catering to the needs of an extended family while embodying the slow and gentle imagery of a dwelling.

The unique feature of this design is the wave-shaped ceiling that integrates the structural beams while following the natural light with undulating curves. The white color further reduces the visual weight of the thirteen-meter long ceiling. The curves are interrupted by oblique angles, aligning with the position of the beams. The five openings of the light fixtures direct the sightline at different angles, adding another layer to the contrast between the solid wall and the void gate.

The apartment, spanning an area of 430 square meters, is constructed using fire board, hot plate, tile, stone, kitchen utensils, system cabinet, and wooden floor. The selection of colors with lower saturation, including granite, wood, glass, and metal, express the horizontal and vertical linearity of the space after careful arrangement. As one walks through the corridor made of different natural stones, the sense of space conveyed through the material is derived from the precise give and take of the design.

The project started in August 2018 in Tainan City, Taiwan, and was completed in December 2018. The design team, including Chi Yuan Lee, Chun We Chung, Pin Chun Hsiung, and Yu Chen Liu, studied the source of light every day to serve as the basis for the undulations of the ceiling arc. The aim was to hide the light in the dark inside to create beautiful light that aligns with the natural light.

One of the major challenges faced by the team was to balance the sense of suspension of the ceiling. The granites of pale gray patterns frame both sides of the aisle. The stability and weight of the stone transfigure the horizontal and vertical viewpoints, setting up the rectangle with square divisions in contrast to the lightness. The precise strata of black, gray, and white marbles, installed at the interval of 3 mm at orthogonal or oblique angles, recall the dynamic rectangular cubism of Mondrian’s paintings.

The project, Lighting in the Waves, was awarded Silver in A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2019. The award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. These designs, admired for their strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder. This recognition is a testament to Hao Han Chang's innovative approach to architecture and design.