Floating Light: A Harmonious Blend of Art and Architecture

George PC Kao's Award-Winning Design Transforms Residential Spaces

The Floating Light design is situated in a 15-year-old four-story residential building in Taichung City, Taiwan. The design was completed in June 2019, after months of conceptual discussions and on-site research. The design team faced the challenge of vertical spatial demarcation, circulation, and light guidance in an old building. However, they overcame these challenges by using imported natural masonry materials and mineral paints, creating a simple, repetitive yet rhythmic spatial quality.

The design's unique properties lie in its use of light and shadow to narrate the story of each space. The minimal, rational, geometric, linear, and original material textures are the core visual focus of the design theme. The design team has used light and shadow to create a sense of time and space, providing a unique, enriched internal experience.

One of the key features of the Floating Light design is the atrium that brings in ample natural light, forming dramatic changes at different times. The light and shadow patterns formed on walls treated with mineral paint create a naturally-formed flowing textured pattern. This innovative lighting design consolidates large volumes such as sofa and staircase, lightening the previously heavy and conventional spatial ideology and creating a visually engaging ambiance.

The design team has used a variety of materials in the design, including mineral paint, marble, painted metalwork, imported Italian tiles, ultra-scratchproof flooring, special glass, imported special paints, stucco, and genuine timber veneer. These materials, combined with the innovative design techniques, have resulted in a design that is both visually stunning and functional.

George PC Kao's Floating Light design is a testament to the power of innovative design and architectural creativity. It is a design that not only transforms a residential space but also creates a unique, engaging, and harmonious environment for the family to congregate and interact. The design is a perfect example of how art, architecture, design, innovation, and technology can come together to create a masterpiece.