Beauty in Simplicity

Taipei-based Studio In2’s work emphasises composition and proportion, seen most recently in residential project No.3 Modern Composition. We spoke with Howard Yu, one of the studio’s two art directors, to find out more about their use of shapes and lines to demonstrate the beauty of geometric simplicity in this home

Design Anthology: How did you first meet the client?

Howard Yu: The clients reached us through a recommendation from their colleague.

Can you tell us about them and their lifestyle?

They are a newly married couple; the husband is a radio DJ, voice-over artist and emcee and the wife works for an e-commerce platform. They’re fun, passionate and intelligent, and they like music, art, books, good food and a simple but high-quality lifestyle.

What was their brief to you?

They wanted a simple yet beautiful home — a minimalist, tranquil space in the middle of Taipei’s business district.

Can you tell us what is unique about the building and the location?

The 105-square-metre apartment is in a thirty-year-old old building in one of the most cosmopolitan parts of Taipei City. It’s a very convenient location, but due to the building’s age there were some issues that we needed to solve through renovations and design. The building’s condition and it surrounding urban environment aren’t the most ideal for residential use, but we transformed the apartment into a peaceful and relaxing living space that contrasts with the surroundings.

How did you approach the project — what design references did you try to incorporate into the space?

We began by considering all of the elements of the site and working out the best possible layout to suit the clients’ needs. The two longest sides of the living room are oriented toward the windows in order for the entire apartment to receive maximum natural lighting, opening up the sightlines and relieving the pressure resulting from the original apartment’s low ceiling.

The overall design uses shapes and lines to demonstrate the beauty of geometric simplicity, creating a delicate, modern and restrained expression. We designed with the intention of elevating a tranquil residence with a touch of romance.

Please tell us a little about the material choices for the space.

It’s a simple white space with pops of different colours, forms, finishes and details — some of these bring the space together, and some create a contrast that also balances the space. We selected frosted glass to separate the piano room and the bathroom, in order to increase the line of vision in the narrow space.

In the centre of the living room is a divider and storage unit that we’ve covered in chalkboard paint. It connects the spaces and doubles as a canvas for the creative couple to record their thoughts.

Do you have a favourite element or design detail in the architecture or interiors?

The original layout included a large column in the middle of the living room and kitchen area, which we softened by rounding out the corner and creating a distinct curve, which adds balance and softness to the space.

Also, the combination of three-dimensional lines and geometric shapes create views that look like abstract paintings depending on your point of view in the apartment. That’s why we named the project No.3 Modern Composition, since it’s the third time we’ve incorporated this concept of artistic composition into a space. We think that this concept can be developed in future projects in new and creative ways.

Images / Jackal Liu