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The Great Flowing River

Mori Design Group

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Comments
Innovation
Functionality
Creativity
Eco-Social Impact
Total
JURY VOTES
Small Apartment
5.75
6.92
5.83
4.25
5.69
Jason Traves
Jason Traves Chief Creative Officer at Lucky Fox
I love how one design feature can t...
6
6
6
4
5.5
Corien Pompe
Corien Pompe Chairman and Founder at Donna e Mobile
blending Eastern and Western aesthe...
2
8
2
2
3.5
Anastasia Karandinou
Anastasia Karandinou Architect, Senior Lecturer at University of East London
6
7
7
5
6.25
William Barrington-Binns
William Barrington-Binns Director of Photography at WBB & Co.
6
8
6
5
6.25
Jasper Blüm
Jasper Blüm Senior Designer at Colliers
7
7
7
6
6.75
Chen Xiaohu
Chen Xiaohu Cofounder and Brand Director at BloomDesign
5
7
6
4
5.5
Johnny Chiu
Johnny Chiu Founder at J.C. Architecture
7
7
7
5
6.5
Joanna van der Linden
Joanna van der Linden Global Retail Identity & Design Manager at Nestlé Nespresso
6
7
7
2
5.5
Richard Parr
Richard Parr Founder at Richard Parr Associates
4
6
4
2
4
Bret Recor
Bret Recor Founder & Creative Director at Box Clever
8
8
6
5
6.75
Li Baolong
Li Baolong Cofounder and Creative Director at BloomDesign
6
6
6
5
5.75
Stefano Giussani
Stefano Giussani CEO at Lissoni New York
6
6
6
6
6
Designer
Mori Design Group
Client
Private Chien’s Residence
Floor area
66 ㎡
Completion
2020
Design Director
Shihyu Chen
Designer
Chih-Hung Chien

The façade of the building, made of Seves glass tiles manufactured in Italy, reflects the sparkling clear water of the river, thereby ushering the beautiful riverbank scenery into the building itself. What’s more, by means of Japanese SA fair-faced concrete, an intertwinement of the East and the West makes this structure unique and exceptional. The concepts of flowing water and time are transformed into ever-changing, free rhythm in the space. The designing team, inspired by the father of music Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier , combines it with the visual construction of black and white piano keys. A theme is thus highlighted, which in turn presents an avant-garde, smooth and harmonious rhythm. Its metal ceiling of ripple patterns echoes the scenery outdoors, copying the ripples in the river perfectly and thus linking the interior and the great outdoors, shaping a harmonious and melodious vibe. An abundance of mirror and light and shadow inside not only serves to make the space look even bigger, but presents different countenances with the changes in the natural environment. The designing team takes great pains to reorganize the layout, expanding the open-plan public area by making the dining-cooking section cover around one-fifth of the entire space so as to meet the homeowner’s needs of entertaining guests. A large straight plate of stainless steel goes from the center of the bar island, forming an image of black and white piano keys and playing a resonant sonata that echoes the gurgling water overflowing on the ripple ceiling. The lighting design is another visual highlight. The building itself enjoys ample natural light that works well with such materials as glass and mirrors. Recessed lights on the ceiling and the walls replace a major light fixture. With accurate calculation, a balanced overall illumination makes the space perfectly habitable. Special ripple patterns on the mirrors, paired with natural light and special lighting, create an underwater setting in the open-concept space. The space has a light color scheme in correspondence with the harmony of The Well-Tempered Clavier. The white floor adds luster and warmth to the space, while a dab of black and gray is scattered here and there to correspond with the theme of the piano. The homeowner prefers the special textures of fair-faced concrete and crystal glass tiles. Therefore, these elements are applied inside and outside the building and merged perfectly, thoroughly yet subtly presented. Behind the large mirror is a big walk-in closet that takes in the verdant foliage of Kishu An outside the window, which deepens the pleasure of waking up among the beautiful scenery. Four different kinds of stone-vein floor tiles pair perfectly with the low-profile marble bathtub, making the highly relaxing bathroom take on a personal touch. The planning of the layout and selection of materials are cleverly combined, blending Eastern and Western aesthetics. What else does one ask for beyond the rimless vista and flowing river a short distance away?