Project Overview

The site is a new apartment. The name of the project is "Black Spruce". Black spruce is a common tree species in high-latitude forests. With its hard texture and fragrance, it is often used as a Christmas tree or as a symbol of toughness. The designer developed an exquisite house with both "enveloping" and "penetrating" senses. Far from pure white and light colors, the main choice is to use matte stucco with delicate texture, embellishing the home with sophistication and taste under the industrial style. Details such as metal, leather, glass, herringbone, folding doors, and lighting schemes delicately balance the colors to create high quality.
Dark-colored building materials outline the relaxation, and then use visual guidance to increase the sense of transparency and openness, conveying the atmosphere and tension. Even with the challenge of limited space, the designer succeeded in creating an open and cozy home. Clients' feedback on the project is positive, as they found the space warm and cozy, allowing them to relax and unwind.

Organisation

MI Studio

Team

YI-HSIEN CHIANG

Project Brief

In a fast-paced world, trust and relaxation are the sanctuaries of the human mind. When life is filled with hectic rhythms, the project provides a place where residents can relax. At home, many people still seek this trust and relaxation. Under the sun, there is a warm living room, soft sofas, a quiet atmosphere, and the sound of coffee beans being ground. The aroma and ambiance of the space are like stepping into a black spruce forest and enjoying the soothing aroma.
The dark-colored building materials create a sense of belonging. Visual guides increase the transparency and openness of the space. Metals, leather, glass, and details achieve a balance of color and light to bring out the elegant quality of life.

Project Need

●Enveloping
The designer has a unique understanding of residence. She categorizes residential design into macro and micro viewpoints. On the macro level, the residence brings a sense of relaxation to the occupants. Warm dark colors, stucco, special paints, and steel veneer textures create a stress-free atmosphere. The dark color allows the occupants to feel the release of stress and worries at the moment of returning home and promotes a sense of stability with a sense of encompassing.

●Penetration
The designer created a sense of transparency through layout and choice of materials. The moru glass and folding doors serve as a boundary and allow for interaction between different areas. At the same time, the herringbone flooring and special materials such as mosaic and stone add unique texture and color to further create a bright look.

Design Challenge

The challenge was the space limitation, especially in the kitchen and dining room. Due to the limited space, the designer had to calculate the dimensions of each piece of equipment, such as the width of the walkway and the size of the refrigerator and stereo, to satisfy the client's hobbies, such as coffee, cooking, music, etc. The designer also had to consider the storage space, ergonomics, and circulation. With so little space available, there was a need to rationalize the space to accommodate all the equipment.

Sustainability

Sustainable design not only protects the environment but also provides a healthier and more comfortable experience for the occupants. The designer emphasized sustainability, especially in the choice of materials lighting, and ventilation. For example, stucco is unadorned, natural, waterproof, breathable, and reduces the risk of water damage.
In terms of lighting, the designer maximized natural lighting to reduce the power consumption of artificial lighting, while at the same time taking into account privacy and security. Focused lighting design creates comfort and safety, allowing occupants to feel warmth and peace of mind. Finally, a dehumidifier, ERV, and air purifier are installed to provide a healthy living experience for the occupants.