Monolithic Castle: A Harmony of Modern and Traditional Chinese Design

Chung Chieh Tseng's Award-Winning Villa Showcases Stone Craftsmanship and Innovative Design

The Monolithic Castle, a 290 square meter residential space for a family of four, was inspired by the house owner's long-term operation in the stone trade and his appreciation for both modern design and new Chinese style. Tseng used concise lines to soften the heaviness often associated with traditional Chinese design, while stainless steel decorations were embedded in the space to enhance a sense of neatness and fashion.

The villa's unique properties lie in its extensive use of stone plate veneers, creating a rich texture and expression in the space. The interior's overall dark tone aims to reflect the owner's calm and restrained character. The main structure of the TV wall, made from grey-net tiles, exudes a low-profile taste under the extinction effect. The living room ceiling features the image of traditional Chinese folding paper, with several projecting light cases erected to increase the variability and reflectivity of light.

The design realization technology involved dismantling the former study cubicle to expand the living room space. A large Taiwan Acacia table was added to accommodate reading, office work, and guest reception. The bedroom was custom designed to meet the differing living habits of the host and hostess. The main wall of the restaurant features a mural cloth with a width of 3 meters and a height of 2 meters, adding to the villa's unique aesthetic.

The design project, completed in 2018 in Taipei, presented several challenges. Tseng had to ensure the modern and Chinese styles the owner adored did not lose their main tone after blending. The living room's modern and concise design, with its simple stone slab and stainless steel bars and black mirror frame decoration, contrasts with the restaurant's main wall, which takes the customized ink-wash mural cloth as the background of the field, rendering the lasting implication with Chinese "Zen" style.

In conclusion, Chung Chieh Tseng's Monolithic Castle is a remarkable blend of modern design and traditional Chinese aesthetics. The project's innovative use of stone plate veneers, dark tones, and the image of folding paper creates a rich, textured space that reflects the owner's calm and restrained character. This unique design approach earned the project a Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2019, a testament to Tseng's outstanding expertise and innovation.