Project Overview

Rooted in the steel industry, this residence reflects both the structural precision and enduring strength of its owner’s profession. Designed for a multi-generational household, the project balances openness and privacy, responding to evolving spatial needs while maintaining a strong architectural identity.

The home’s vertical expansion strategy maximizes its multi-level structure, ensuring clear spatial hierarchies without compromising connectivity. Exposed steel beams and H-shaped columns emphasize structural integrity, while the Japanese kiln-tiled roof with a swallowtail ridge integrates cultural symbolism with industrial durability. The design carefully considers material longevity and thermal efficiency, with a double-layer insulated roof system mitigating heat gain, and reducing reliance on mechanical cooling.

Circulation flows seamlessly, with open-plan spaces fostering interaction, while strategically placed partitions preserve moments of privacy. The "Ascending Steps" staircase serves as both a functional connector and a symbolic gesture, reflecting themes of progress and continuity. Thoughtful lighting enhances depth and rhythm, ensuring that despite the industrial materiality, the atmosphere remains warm and inviting.

Organisation

YP_DESIGNER

Project Brief

The design carefully integrates industrial elements into a livable, adaptable home. The stepped ceiling and indirect lighting soften the exposed steel structure, creating a dynamic interplay of light and shadow that changes throughout the day.

A suspended metal-frame corner bar bridges the kitchen and dining areas, maintaining an open yet structured flow. The dual-sided TV cabinet discreetly defines the boundary between communal and private spaces, offering flexibility for different uses.

Material selection prioritizes durability and sustainability, with kiln-fired clay tiles ensuring longevity while requiring minimal maintenance. Intelligent lighting systems and modular layouts further future-proof the home, allowing it to evolve alongside its occupants. By embracing vertical layering, light articulation, and adaptable spaces, the design finds an equilibrium between structural rigour and residential comfort.

Project Need

To meet the needs of a multi-generational household, this design weaves together strategies to balance interaction, privacy, and comfort. By implementing strategies that focus on open circulation, multifunctional planning, and dynamic lighting design, the project responds to the diverse spatial needs of different generations, creating a flexible and inviting living environment. This reimagines the modern family dynamic, introducing layers of adaptability and connection into everyday life.

To enhance interaction, an open circulation layout seamlessly connects spaces, with a corner bar linking the kitchen and dining area, establishing a social hub for both family and guests. The inclusion of a baking station encourages engagement and strengthens social bonds. Meanwhile, the dual-sided TV cabinet serves as a functional partition between the bedroom and small living area, offering a balance between shared experiences and individual preferences.

The lofted ceiling structure, paired with vertically extended pendant lighting, draws inspiration from industrial factory hoists, transforming lighting fixtures into sculptural focal points. This design reinforces the vertical expansion of the space while creating a rich interplay of light and shadow that accentuates structural depth and industrial character.

By embracing adaptability, intergenerational co-living, and sustainable solutions, the design delivers a resilient and future-ready home. The integration of modular furniture and flexible layouts ensures that the space can evolve in response to the changing needs of its inhabitants, offering a forward-thinking approach to contemporary living.

Design Challenge

Steel structures are prone to heat retention, making temperature regulation a challenge, especially in warm climates. Without proper insulation, interiors can become uncomfortably hot, increasing reliance on air conditioning and energy consumption. Additionally, frequent maintenance and material replacement contribute to higher resource use and construction waste, impacting long-term sustainability.

To mitigate heat buildup, the design incorporates a double-layer insulated roof system, combining Japanese kiln-fired tiles with an insulated metal layer. This system stabilizes indoor temperatures while preserving the building’s industrial aesthetic, reducing the need for mechanical cooling and enhancing energy efficiency.

The kiln-fired clay tiles, made from natural materials and fired at high temperatures, offer a lifespan of over 50 years with minimal maintenance. Their high durability, low water absorption, and excellent thermal and acoustic insulation properties improve both efficiency and occupant comfort. The material’s weather resistance ensures long-term performance, reducing the need for repairs and material replacement. By extending the building’s lifecycle and minimizing construction waste, this approach aligns with sustainable design principles, optimizing resource efficiency while enhancing indoor comfort and energy conservation.

Sustainability

This project incorporates a sustainability strategy that balances energy efficiency, material longevity, and adaptability to minimize environmental impact while maintaining long-term functionality. By integrating passive climate control, durable materials, and flexible design solutions, the approach ensures both environmental responsibility and everyday practicality.

A double-layer insulated roof system featuring Japanese kiln-fired tiles and an insulated metal layer stabilizes indoor temperatures, reducing reliance on air conditioning. Locally sourced kiln-fired clay tiles provide a lifespan of over 50 years, minimizing maintenance and material waste. Additionally, eco-certified flooring and recycled aluminium support responsible resource management. An intelligent lighting system further enhances energy efficiency by adjusting to natural daylight, optimizing comfort while reducing consumption. The home’s modular furniture and adaptable layouts allow spaces to evolve over time, preventing unnecessary renovations and material waste.

Sustainability in this project is not an added feature but an integrated design principle, ensuring that the home remains efficient, durable, and adaptable for generations to come.