From Virtual to Reality: The Irene Office by A.A.A. Interior Design

Winner of the Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2019

The Irene Office is located in Luzhou District, New Taipei City, Taiwan. The project, which began in November 2014 and was completed a year later, covers an area of 283.6 square meters. The first floor spans 155 square meters, while the mezzanine covers 128.6 square meters.

The design's inspiration comes from the novel Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino, specifically the city of Irene, described as a virtual city that changes as one approaches it. This concept is brought to life through the use of fair-faced concrete, which can be coordinated into a variety of forms, creating an interplay between light and shadow where reality meets the imaginary.

One of the unique features of this office is the seven-meter-high ceiling, which creates an illusion of layers of plateaus connected by a symbolic concrete staircase set in the center of the space. The height of each floor varies depending on its function, with natural sunlight brought into the space through the height differences of each floor. A six-meter-long glass fish tank, resembling a river running through the city, adds to the office's unique aesthetic.

The design faced several challenges, including the need to create combinations that could best illustrate both horizontal and vertical relations in the space while fulfilling the complex usage requirements of the office. By redesigning the stair with various flooring and stair steps' heights, the designers were able to best demonstrate the concept of floating cross-sections, reminiscent of the city "Irene" from Calvino's novel.

The Irene Office is not just a workspace, but also an exhibition show space that demonstrates the delicate skills of A.A.A. Interior Design. The office's interior structure, with its intricate use of fair-faced concrete and natural sunlight, showcases the company's expertise and innovation, earning it the prestigious Silver A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2019.