Elegance of sandalwood | TWM Interior Design | World Design Awards 2024

TWM Interior Design: Winner of World Design Awards 2024. The inspiration lies in helping the owner to pursue and explore the style. At first, when communicating with the owner, the designer received the message that the Japanese style was “Muji”. However, the owner’s inner desire for “emptiness” favors wabi-sabi rather than Muji. The designer then analyzed the owner’s color preferences and used dark wood to combine the essence of the wabi-sabi style with modern functionality to create a cozy home that resonates with the occupants.

UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION／DIFFERENTIATION	Two-way functional cabinet The half-height cabinet in the social area is the core of the area. The upper end of the open cabinetry connects the living room with the dining room and even the kitchen. The TV wall is simple and elegant. The floating-like design includes structural and other details. The storage wall at the back has irregular open shelves embedded in it. The concept of “simplicity” is molded by the designer to make the core of the social area appear more generous and restrained. Continuity of route The project is different from the standardized layout. In addition to the half-height cabinet, the right turn from the foyer to the living room and dining room, and then the right turn to the kitchen creates a seamless connection. The designer installed a row of cabinets along the wall and cut them at an angle to match the sharp corners of the turnaround. The uniform wood tone and the interlocking wood grains form a flowing dialog, decorating the trajectory of the residents’ lives.
PRODUCTION OR REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY (AND MATERIALS)	Materials used on a large scale include mineral coatings and dark woods. The materials used in the project emphasize naturalness and environmental friendliness. The color scheme is a combination of dark wood tones and the texture of mineral coatings to form a calm and warm atmosphere. The social areas such as the living room and foyer are in a darker tone to emphasize the grandeur and solemnity. The bright colors in the master bedroom create a sense of comfort and relaxation. The project is different from the common Taiwanese impression of bright social areas and dark private areas, creating a more diverse look.
SPECIFICATIONS / DIMENSIONS / PACKAGE / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES	The site is a total of 115.7 square meters apartment with 3 rooms, a living room, a dining room, and 2 bathrooms. The designer created an open circulation for the social area according to the natural lighting on one side. Cabinets are installed along the walls to increase storage capacity and trim the beams behind the shoe cabinets. The progressive layout makes the route more intuitive. The location of the shrine faces the floor-to-ceiling window next to the dining table, echoing the meaning of “bright future” in Feng-Shui. The family lives happily ever after in the midst of good fortune and well-being.
CHALLENGE	There were three challenges. The first was the challenge of style. The owner’s initial preferences were unclear. The transition from Muji to the Wabi-sabi style required precise guidance to ensure that the final look met the owner’s expectations. The second challenge was the construction. The refurbishment of the two bathrooms and the kitchen involved extensive remodeling, including the removal of the original design and updating of the kitchen appliances, which put pressure on the schedule and budget. Last but not least, the design of the shrine needed to break away from the traditional form to achieve a balance between modernity and practicality.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION／FUNCTION	The owners expressed their satisfaction with the final look. In particular, they appreciated the design of the continuous cabinetry from the foyer to the kitchen, which enhances the sense of spaciousness and provides ample storage. The updating of the kitchen equipment and the reconfiguration of the toilets enhance the convenience of living, and are part of the design that takes into account the possibilities of future living. They were also surprised by the modernization of the shrine and appreciated the designer’s efforts to incorporate the wabi-sabi style.
FORM	“Pure sandalwood in the light of grace.” Wooden space is cohesive and gentle. Wood grain is the language of nature and the imprint of heavenly law. When the designer pressed the wood grain into the mineral paint, the deep and shallow patterns, and irregular and tight space are presented. The abundance and nourishment of life begin to flow out of the cracks. The cozy atmosphere extends freely, revealing the residents’ desired taste in life. An elegant and quiet atmosphere follows the rhythm of natural breathing, softly and persistently penetrating the heart and lungs. Under the sunlight, time seems to have slowed down a bit. It’s like a wonderland in an ancient poem, a place where one can return to peace of mind.
RESEARCH ABSTRACT	The site is an apartment in good condition. The name, “Elegance of sandalwood”, highlights the charm and elegance of wood. The designer created the project in a dark wood tone. The turning points on each side are soft and smooth edges. High-quality materials, minimalist yet not simple aesthetics, and a flexible attitude are exactly what wood conveys. The designer translated these concepts into visualizations. The replanned smooth and reasonable circulation and a half-height video wall with hollows at the core to ensure unobstructed vision. The storage display cabinet at the back makes this design more practical and beautiful. This project uses walnut color as the base to cover the cabinets and floor. The walls are covered with mineral-based paint to connect sunlight and wood color. Through color understanding and pattern planning, the designer built a poetic, timeless yet neat and comfortable residence.