Wood and Stone in Harmony | TCYI Interior Design | World Design Awards 2024

TCYI Interior Design: Winner of World Design Awards 2024. The project is a model home aimed at enhancing the spaciousness within the constraints of space while maintaining the independence and privacy. Classic and timeless modern styles are conveyed through the use of stone veneers, wood grains, and metals, exuding a subtle luxury. The ceiling incorporates stacked trims to add a layer of refinement, symbolizing a revival of neoclassicism and creating a living space full of fresh and innovative elements.

UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION／DIFFERENTIATION	● Clever design conceals the emergency exit Situated on a high floor, the building requires a specialized emergency exit. The designer cleverly planned a wall with curved edges to seamlessly conceal the emergency exit. Additionally, display cabinets and hidden LED light strips are incorporated, creating a cohesive left-side wall at the entrance and enhancing the aesthetics of the foyer and corridor. In the event of an emergency, the exit can be quickly accessed, ensuring both functionality and visual appeal. ● Integrated study room partition and display shelf A display bookshelf made of stone veneers and metal serves as a partition between the living room and study room. The bookshelf is seamlessly integrated with a desk, combining the cabinet and desk into a single unit to expand storage space. This design element mirrors the stone used in the foyer, maintaining a consistent style while effectively dividing the different areas and alleviating any sense of constriction. The transparent and open feel creates a bright and comfortable social area, providing a serene and quiet corner in the home.
PRODUCTION OR REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY (AND MATERIALS)	Materials: Stone veneers, metal, wood veneers, etc. The ceiling is covered with wood veneers, introducing a natural warmth that balances the harsh and cold impressions of the metal and stone veneers. The lines formed by the different materials outline the clean, distinctive contours of the space while imparting a subtle sense of sophistication in the details. The large mirror on the right side of the foyer enhances the sense of spaciousness, creating an immediate feeling of openness as one enters the home.
SPECIFICATIONS / DIMENSIONS / PACKAGE / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES	The site covers approximately 110 square meters and includes four rooms, a living room, and a dining room. The layout features an integrated open-plan design for the dining and living areas. The study room is separated by a half-height open shelving unit, which, along with the large windows that bring in natural light, extends the sense of spaciousness. The T-shaped circulation provides depth when looking from the corridor into the interior, while maintaining privacy for the private area.
CHALLENGE	The project involves the intricate use of different materials to create a sense of spaciousness within a limited area, a challenge that requires careful planning and execution. During the renovation, the designer removed an existing partition to transform the space into a semi-open study room, enhancing the openness and brightness of the social areas. The uniquely designed open bookshelf serves as a focal point, guiding the viewer’s attention and embedding a memorable element within the home.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION／FUNCTION	As a model home for prospective buyers, the project aims to highlight the advantages and unique features of the property. The designer has created a spacious and cozy living area within the limited space available. The living room and dining room are seamlessly connected. Large floor-to-ceiling windows in the social areas allow warm, bright sunlight to illuminate the interior. Mirrors and open shelving enhance transparency, effectively enlarging the visual.
FORM	“The perfect balance of wood and stone imparts a sophisticated elegance” The designer used white as a base and simplified the materials, creating layers through line segmentation and lighting arrangements. The walls and ceiling are adorned with elegant trims and lighting strips, while the intricately designed cabinet structures enhance the details. Under a modern minimalist approach, the project embodies timeless and carefree daily scenes. Centered around wood and stone, the project demonstrates a harmonious blend of strength and softness. Unique textures and varying heights of stone walls are featured in the foyer, living room, and bedrooms, presenting a neutral, understated rationality while adding a touch of artistry. To balance the hardness of the stone textures, the designer incorporated warm, natural wood, achieving a beautiful equilibrium. Residents are gently embraced by their home, finding a true sanctuary where they can fully relax and unwind.
RESEARCH ABSTRACT	The project presents a spacious and non-constricting living experience, utilizing space to its fullest extent, allowing viewers to take in an ideal blueprint of comfort and serenity at a glance. Upon entering, a large mirror stands on one side, creating an illusion of symmetry. The floor-to-ceiling windows at the far end subtly introduce natural light from outside, infusing the space with vitality and energy while skillfully extending the sense of space. The minimalist T-shaped circulation maximizes space efficiency, creating a natural division between social and private areas, shaping a modern residence that is approachable, open, and independent. The design team seamlessly blends wood and stone. The natural qualities of these materials outline a harmonious and tranquil ambiance, embodying the project’s theme of “Wood and Stone in Harmony.” The sleek lines of the open display shelves in the entrance and living room, combined with the rugged stone textures, create a unique and intriguing highlight. The dining room and bedroom, through the layering of wooden elements, weave a warm and gentle atmosphere, transforming moments of solitude into an enchanting alternative enjoyment.

IMPACT /SUSTAINABILITY

Adhering to an sustainable philosophy, the project utilizes KD eco-friendly wood veneers. The F1 low-formaldehyde plywood and raw materials are sourced from wood certified by forest management and supply chain oversight, earning a green building material certification. This helps to reduce VOCs and minimizes their impact on both human health and the environment. The metal, chosen for their artistic appeal, are also high-strength and corrosion-resistant, offering a longer lifespan and recyclability, thus reducing resource waste. The designer took full advantage of the living room’s L-shaped large windows, integrating the living room, dining room, and study room into a unified space. By minimizing partitions and furniture that obstruct light and airflow, the design maintains optimal natural lighting and ventilation conditions. This approach reduces the need for artificial lighting and air conditioning, leading to lower energy costs, reduced carbon emissions, and a more eco-friendly footprint.