"This successful and carefully executed design combines functionality, comfort, and elegant space efficiency."
-------- Review from Future Art & Design Award
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Project description
A retired couple returning from the United States embarks on a new chapter of life in Tainan. After years of a hectic lifestyle, they envisioned a peaceful home where they could slow down and recharge. The designers focused on the key themes of “simplicity, understated luxury, warmth, and subtlety,” weaving their life stories and desires into the space. Infused with modern aesthetics and American sensibilities, the design is unified through gentle curves. An electric fireplace, rose gold display shelves, and natural light compose the visual narrative, reviving the couple’s dream of “living well.”
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION／DIFFERENTIATION
The entire space is shaped by soft, curving lines that alleviate the heaviness of structural beams and soften harsh angles, bringing a natural sense of spatial flow. From the sculptural foyer screen, the gently arched ceiling above the dining area, the curved TV wall platform, to the rounded edges under the master bedroom beam and around the vanity corner, every line both defines and connects, allowing light and movement to flow freely. The result is a refined rhythm and a warm ambiance.
Peace and comfort are embedded deeply in the atmosphere. A 3D mist electric fireplace is integrated into the living room’s main wall, with firelight that flickers with movement—offering a near-real flame experience. Above the fireplace, rose gold open display shelves glow softly at night. The semi-open kitchen and dining layout features a taupe-gray display wall as both storage and visual anchor. The hostess makes coffee while the host reads the newspaper. In quiet conversation across the bar counter, the beauty of daily life quietly unfolds.
PRODUCTION OR REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY (AND MATERIALS)
A palette of white and taupe-gray is paired with wood veneer, glass, metal, and rose gold elements to create minimalist elegance enriched with detail. Eco-friendly German mineral paint is used throughout, offering a toxin-free, soft matte texture. Mint green defines the soothing atmosphere of the master bedroom, while the secondary room adopts a deeper forest green to match the residents’ tastes. The muted tones retain a sense of vitality, turning every wall into an emotional extension.
SPECIFICATIONS / DIMENSIONS / PACKAGE / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES
Total interior space is 112.4 square meters, with three rooms, a living room, a dining room, and two bathrooms. Subtle layout adjustments enhance circulation and comfort. A previously enclosed study was opened up with glass windows, allowing light to permeate the living room. A side column in the master bedroom was repurposed into storage and a vanity, exemplifying the minimalist design. The home features concealed air conditioning and energy recovery ventilation systems integrated into the ceiling. Air vents are aligned to the foyer for even, invisible cooling—bringing quiet comfort to every corner.
CHALLENGE
The main challenge was translating the homeowners’ memories of American design into a modern, approachable living language. Rather than relying on superficial ornamentation, the designers built the narrative through curves, textures, and lighting. Balancing the homeowners’ desire for a low-profile, visually simple aesthetic with a strong sense of design required a “less is more” approach—ultimately delivering a refined yet layered space.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION／FUNCTION
Having journeyed through a busy life, the homeowners were ready to embrace a slower rhythm. They shared that what they enjoy most is the living room—so comfortable that there’s no need to even turn on the TV. Simply watching the fire in the fireplace brings a sense of quiet joy. The dining area has become the heart of the home: the hostess makes coffee while the host reads the paper. Sunlight spills through, shadows drift across the walls, and life feels effortlessly serene and fulfilling.
FORM
As firelight flickers, warmth and glow slowly diffuse across the glass edges, bathing the space in softness. At night, the display cabinet reflects a gentle shimmer under strip lighting. Whether lounging solo on the forest green sofa or sitting together in peaceful silence, the flickering light makes the world feel slower, gentler.
Curves unfold throughout—on the foyer screen, above the dining table, under the master bedroom beam—each one softening reality’s sharp corners. The minimalist yet richly layered design reflects a rejection of excessive ornamentation and a return to essential beauty.
This is not just a space for living—it’s a space for letting go, for renewal. When the fire crackles, the air circulates, and natural light fills the room, life becomes a quiet celebration—a slow, poetic rhythm shared by the couple.
RESEARCH ABSTRACT
“Warm Haven” marks the couple’s transition from a life of movement to one of grounded stillness. “Haven” symbolizes their return and emotional anchoring; “Warm” represents firelight, warmth, and lingering memories. The design uses curves and material contrasts to create a cohesive spatial story, with the fireplace, rose gold shelves, and glass-walled study forming the visual center.
The kitchen-dining area adopts a semi-open layout to encourage light and movement. The home features non-toxic mineral paint, concealed air conditioning, and energy recovery ventilation systems—uniting sustainability with health and comfort. Minimalist design honors existing architectural strengths, using minimal intervention to achieve maximum comfort. Every curve and rounded corner is a soft response to the rhythm of life.
IMPACT /SUSTAINABILITY
The project integrates sustainability and comfort to promote a better way of living. Non-toxic German mineral paint minimizes indoor pollutants, making it safer for older residents. Lighting and HVAC systems are concealed and energy-efficient. The energy recovery ventilation system improves airflow while conserving power.
Natural light was intentionally preserved to reduce the need for artificial lighting during the day. Structurally, the design avoids excessive demolition, preserving the building’s strengths and making targeted functional adjustments. This aligns with the “less is more” ethos of contemporary sustainable design. This is a space that doesn’t need embellishment—it finds freedom in simplicity and invites endless possibilities.