Layered Simplicity
Realised by Taiwanese firm AODA InteriorDesign, this New Taipei City apartment reinterprets Japanese aesthetics through a subtle narrative of curves and textures
Subdued hues, refined textures and curved lines define this home in New Taipei City’s Xizhi District. Although popular, the Japan-inspired aesthetic can often feel austere, but here local studio AODA InteriorDesign bring a sense of comfort and peace into the space through the meticulous use of textures, light and curves.
Upon entering the 50-square-metre apartment, it’s the living room’s sombre colour palette that first impresses. Shades of brown, grey and black are elegantly layered across the space, creating a sober, almost melancholic atmosphere. Natural light enters through large windows, creating a play of light and shadow on different materials and textures. ‘To match the owner’s preference for dark shades and authentic materials, we highlighted the textures on the living room’s concrete wall and wooden floor,’ explains Hugo Shen, co-design director at AODA InteriorDesign.
A response to the brightness from the living room, the study wall was replaced with a sheet of patterned glass through which natural lights filters. ‘Our objective was to maximise natural light indoors and use minimal artificial lighting,’ adds Anny Hong, Shen’s co-director. ‘When the light comes in, it seems like the boundary between the indoors and outdoors no longer exists.’
Partition walls were remodelled to create a sleek, curvilinear layout throughout the apartment, while seamless doors and storage spaces enhance the contours of the space. By the owner’s request, a foyer and an altar were integrated alongside the TV wall’s curve. Custom-made details, including the sandblasted iron handles of the foyer’s cabinets, add a polished touch and a nod to Japanese craft.
Reinterpreting Japanese aesthetics through modern curves and emphasising textures throughout, this apartment is an artful lesson on how to align comfort and simplicity.
Text / Nina Milhaud
Images / Yi-Hsien Lee and Associates YHLAA
