What does a home look like? Perhaps it is embracing the authentic self and returning to the unrestrained self. Clare Cooper Marcus, a professor of architecture and sociologist, once wrote "House as a Mirror Of Self: Exploring the Deeper Meaning of Home", exploring the relationship between people and space as an another reflection of mind and life state.

In the case of “12M” a single-story residence located in the bustling and noisy city center of Taipei, the designer has created a space that not only meets the functional needs of the owner, but also express personal identity. The owner lives alone most of the time. In order to allow the owner to have a peaceful and solitary space and also have a smooth transformation of interaction with people, because of the disadvantages of the construction of the building itself, the designer draws a 12-meter-long curved wall in the space, by way the 12-meter curved wall cleaves a path through the original entrance space which can solve the original structure that divides the entrance into two individual spaces to improve on the structural and spatial shortcomings. The application of the curved wall connects the living room, the entrance hallway, the master bedroom, and other related spaces seamlessly. The two side exits of the curved wall with two difference open angles which defined and designed the flow between the public and private spaces aptly with subtlety. The curved wall that gives the soft and elegant atmosphere also has the forceful joint function, which combined with the ceremonial lighting design and the linear sequence of charred wood walls, together create a sense of balance in the space.

Through incorporating mass-composition and joint-consideration into the design direction, a discourse is established among elements from fraction and connection, separations and specifications, departures and confluences, to fragments and ensembles. The effect is an overall architectural arrangement of space that feels distinctive, yet also connected with a certain poetic flow, as one navigates from the study room to the kitchen, living room and hallway. The use of gray and white tones not only implicitly echoes the inner world of the owner and himself, but also instills a solitary mood amidst the stillness. Colors and materials applied to the furniture level up the monochrome visual level. Besides, the application of the Fir wood stamped concrete and the Marmorino paint, with their simple and rusticity expression of the texture offer a visually balancing effect to the reclusive ambiance and also provides a peaceful atmosphere which reflects the residents’ exquisite pursuit of diversity in space and depth.

The 12-meter curved wall not only map out the main traffic flow connecting the public and private areas, but also the selection of materials is also a projection of the memory of the owner. The use of charred wood, Fir wood stamped concrete and mild steel plate, the roughness and simplicity in nature, reflect the youthful memories in the owner. Walk along with the sequence of charred wood walls, the guest toilet is like hidden in the corridor, the light and shadow changes in the slits make the cold concrete add a dramatic performance.

There is an old saying: “with the sky as the curtain and the ground as the seat.” In the master bedroom of “12M”, the floating non-directional bed may be the best interpretation of this old saying. In the | Project Description | 3 interior design, using the block structure and a certain proportion of size create the lucid interspaces, so that although the master bedroom space is divided into different areas due to functional requirements, the areas are seem separated, however the flow of each other is like a musical score, the rhythm has an elegant charm. The structural construction method and the application of materials make the master bedroom space full of transition scenes and details.

The space design of "12M" not only meets the functional needs of the residents, but also expression of the inhabitants’ inner world, core values, and lifestyle attitudes. The balance of tranquility and loneliness may be the best interpretation of this case. As the British philosopher Moore said, "A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it."

Team:

Interior Architects: Wei Yi Design

Lead Designer: Shin Yuan, Fang

Other Participants: Teresa, Hong

Photographers: Wei Yi Design, Millspace Studio, Suiyu Studio

Materials Used:

Mineral Paint, Marmorino paint, Charred Douglas Fir Wood, Taiwan Cypress (reclaimed wood), 6mm thick Thk Mild Steel Plate, 5mm Square Solid Iron Bar, White Artificial Stone, Fir Wood Stamped Concrete, Walnut Solid Wood, Engineered Flooring

Entrance-Pulpo(ODA floor Lamp)

Living Room-Boundary (Dumas Sofa), Flexform(Happy Armchairs), Giobagnara(Aurelia Stool), Phillips Collection(River Stone Small Roman Stone Coffee Table), Arno Declercq(Senufo Side Table), Baxter (Phoenix Side Table),Qlocktwo Clock, Baxter (Himani Rug), FAINA(Soniah Floor Lamp), Baxter (Floor Lamp), Fang Chair 256(Designed by Wei Yi Design)

Dining Room-Emmemobili (Assolo Dining Table), Vitra(Chaise Tout Bois Chair)

Study Room-Zanotta(Maggiolina Armchairs), MOLTENI &C(Graduate Bookcase), Flos(265 Wall Lamp)

Master Room-Vibia(Skan 0260 Floor Lamp), KREOO(Kreoo Pavé Stones Stool), Taiwan Walnut Solid Wood Flat (Designed by Wei Yi Design)