Like any other metropolis in the world,Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, counts every millimetre when creating living space that meets international luxury standards. Janus Huang, chief executive designer at TBCD (Taipei Base Design Center) has produced an ingenious interior in aTaipei apartment.He has fitted together the living functions like the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. Panels and mirrors, ingeniously placed, create in a relatively small floor area, clearly defined spaces that flow together logically. Many designers would no doubt have opted for pale shades, but he went for dark browns and greys to produce a highly dramatic effect.
The apartment in the Taiwanese capital of Taipei is a composition of ingeniously interconnected small rooms. In an area of around 200 m2 Janus Huang, chief executive designer of TBDC, Taipei Base Design Center, has created an imaginative dwelling in which the living functions are mutually reinforcing. He was asked to transform a bare space into a unit comprising a living area, dining room-cum-kitchen, master bedroom plus bathroom, a toilet and a laundry space. He selected a number of basic materials to add substance to his design - laminated wood, solid wood, dark coloured glass, painted glass, transparent glass, rustic surface stainless board, white fox stone, Kun-in stone and LCD glass panels. In addition, he used mirrors at strategic places to create a more spacious effect. The designer: “This project differs substantially from the traditional ‘three room-two bedroom’ setup. It is intended for one occupant and designed as an open space in which the functional components are separated with panels. I used a predominantly dark colour scheme, with bands of stainless steel to interrupt the dark planes. Using large laminated panels in dark colours and smooth stone surfaces, I have sought to introduce natural elements wherever possible. The suspense this produces is reinforced by the inventive lighting plan that is specially attuned to the client’s wishes.” The design has resulted in a totality of dark surfaces interspersed with light-coloured furniture and here and there a taut grey concrete wall - an effect that is both chic and restful. An eye-catching feature is the bath tub designed by Janus Huang with a marble slab placed at a sloping angle. It not only has a visual function, but is clearly ergonomic too.
Raphaëlle de Stanislas
