Project Overview

The design's open circulation and unique block-like areas resemble ocean currents and islands, creating a home that embodies movement and freedom. The aim of the design is to utilize the space to its limit, creating maximum openness and minimum distance between areas while giving sufficient divisions for the family members.

The rooms and spaces in the residence are highly adaptable, catering to the family's current and future needs, making the freedom aspect not only spatial but also temporal. A large common area allows the family to hold family gatherings, with the multifunctional room doubling as guestrooms and activity rooms. Currents and Isles is a home of freedom and connection.

Organisation

Urbesign Interior & Architecture

Team

Rae Tsai, Jimmy Ko

Project Brief

Time, Activity, and Boundlessness are the 3 keywords of the project. Time, the spaces and their divisions adapt freely to the growing child’s needs at different ages. Activity, the openness of the common areas and the transformable tearoom cater to the homeowners’ love for family gatherings. Boundlessness, the family can engage in their own activities in different areas, but can always hear and see each other, allowing for spontaneous and casual conversations.

The free-flowing circulation and unique blocky designs of areas evoke the concept of ocean currents and isles, this is a home where dynamicity and freedom are the essence.

Niseko, Hokkaido is the homeowner’s favourite skiing destination, hence, the mid-20th century Japanese aesthetics become the residence’s key visual inspiration. Soft, rounded corners and edges on the ceilings are modelled after snow on rooftops. Walking along the living room brings to mind the imagery of Japanese streets, the lighting design at the bottom of the TV wall serves as a “landmark”, a spatial anchor to give context to the spaces. Additionally, the landmark creates a sense of ritual upon returning home, giving the family a comforting feel of home.

Project Need

Currents and Isles features 14 circulation axes, boasting exceptional connectivity between areas. Similar to water finding the shortest paths, the layout allows for the people to use the most direct routes wherever they are in the residence.

Families and friends can enjoy movie nights in the abundant space of the elongated living room equipped with a hidden projection screen. The small multifunctional room can serve as storage, a children’s playroom, a yoga room, or a temporary bedroom. The tearoom at the end of the living room has a transformable sofa area that, when laid flat, turns the space into a Japanese-style guest room.

The blocky isle designs of the areas allow family members to enjoy their own spaces but prevent total separation, creating a harmonious blend of privacy and togetherness.

Various materials help separate private and common areas. Additionally, consistent material use along the same axes acts as an invisible guide, establishing natural divisions and intuitive wayfinding elements.

The children’s room has two doors: one to the master bedroom for easy parental care when they're young, and another to the dining room for more privacy and freedom as they grow independent.

Design Challenge

In order to create a home with exceptional flow, the designer proposed multiple floor plans. The balance of privacy and openness was crafted through meticulous planning. The solution to prevent the space from feeling disorienting was found only after multiple intense brainstorming sessions.

Sustainability

A key point of the design is adaptability. The use of the spaces can be decided according to the needs of the family as if the home is growing alongside the people organically and can prepare for generations to come. Additionally, only non-toxic, high-end materials are chosen for the project, giving the family the healthiest living environment.

Despite the closeness of the neighbouring buildings, the screens installed on the windows provide privacy without losing natural lighting. The large window in the bathroom of the children’s room, making the atmosphere of space refreshing, further enhances the quality of life.