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Glimmer in the Cave

DuJian Design Studio

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DuJian Design Studio
DuJian Design Studio
DuJian Design Studio
DuJian Design Studio

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Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
House
4.69
5.22
5.06
4.45
4.85
Andres Fredes
Andres Fredes Creative Director / Partner at ALLDSGN
5
5
6
5
5.25
Jaime Velez
Jaime Velez Design Partner at Velez + Valencia Arquitectos
3.88
6.24
5.88
4.45
5.11
Carolin Krebber
Carolin Krebber Founder at Büro agata/ Co-founder Format F/ allmannwappner
4.67
6.31
4.67
5
5.16
Firas Alsahin
Firas Alsahin Co-Founder and Design Director at 4SPACE Design
6
6
6
5
5.75
Yen Kien Hang
Yen Kien Hang Founder / Design Writer / Author at OutOfThePackage
Too dark and Too moody, is that bat...
4
4
4
2
3.5
Philippe Paré
Philippe Paré Principal and Managing Director at Gensler
4.5
4.31
4.12
4.74
4.42
Elise Zoetmulder
Elise Zoetmulder Founder at Zoetmulder
Lovely materials, but too much and...
3.67
4.1
3.81
5
4.15
Jason Su
Jason Su Design Director at HCD Impress
4.88
5
4.95
4.95
4.95
Toni Black
Toni Black Interior Director at Blacksheep
Too dark it would been nice to see...
5.62
5
6.62
5
5.56
Maria Messina
Maria Messina Creative Director and Design Architect at FAAB
4
5
4
4
4.25
Ayça Doğan
Ayça Doğan Head of Design at CBRE Netherlands
5
4.5
5
5
4.88
Lin Chen
Lin Chen Founding Partner at Topos Design
5
6
4
5
5
Evans Lee
Evans Lee Founder & Design Director at Evans Lee Designers
4.52
5.24
5.24
4.24
4.81
Falco Webbink
Falco Webbink Head of Design at Wink
4.17
6.24
6.17
4.17
5.19
Kristen Becker
Kristen Becker Partner at Mutuus Studio
4
5
4
4.5
4.38
Liz Mahlow
Liz Mahlow Founding Partner at Nous Engineering
5
5
5
4
4.75
Mohammed Adib
Mohammed Adib Chief Design Officer at Dewan
3.95
4.45
4.52
3.02
3.99
Emma Holt
Emma Holt Associate Director at Ben Adams Architects
6.6
6.55
7.07
5
6.31
Client
Lan.Zhi-Cheng
Floor area
212 ㎡
Completion
2021

The cave concept is developed from the structure of the longhouse, and contrary to popular techniques, uses dark colors to shrink the space, bringing in natural materials in black, white, and gray. 

Interior and exterior are connected with linear designs to extend the limited space. Two separate metal pillars at the end of the entryway allow light to pass through the gap between them and from the top, creating anticipation toward the space behind. To resolve the common noise and privacy issues of row houses, the entryway is made dark and decorated with a fish tank and plants. A darkly-colored cave technique is employed to blur the barriers between spaces as day turns to night, bringing focus to the light source and enlarging the long, narrow space. 

Lighting and furniture are arranged to create a textured appearance. Using black, white, and gray in the environment creates expansiveness in the limited space. The black elevator doors vanish into the black wall. The height and width of the space are extended through tall black iron railings and lighting on the ceiling of the staircase. The staircase is redirected to free up the dining area and kitchen. 

The former storage closet under the stairs is transformed into an open multi-use platform. The floating TV wall opens up the narrow entryway which has a fish tank and plants for privacy and noise control. Instead of light colors, a dark palette is employed to emphasize the light sources from front and back when tackling the challenge of daylight in the longhouse. 

Like a tunnel leading to the cave’s exit, inside and outside are connected through elements of black, white, and gray. An entryway with elements of greenery and water is added for privacy and noise control. Instead of installing the airtight windows common in urban residences, the windows are easy to open to enjoy the sun and breeze, reaching a balance between privacy and the environment.