Interview about No8 Residential Space, winner of the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award 2024
The uniqueness of No8 lies in the combination and stacking of large color blocks, and the interpretation of the relationship between life and time. Through the combination of large color blocks, it creates a high-level sense of life and movement, and at the same time makes the space full of vitality. This way of combining and stacking can also reflect the deduction of time. The perceived landscape of the interior has also changed over time. This design method can attract people's attention and make them generally have endless exploration and surprises about the space.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsIn No8, the use of large color blocks serves not only as a visual strategy but as a philosophical response to time and life. Each block functions like a chapter—defining space, yet open to interpretation. The contrast between neutral and vivid tones maps emotional transitions throughout the day, guiding inhabitants from activity to pause, from engagement to reflection. This sequencing mirrors how we move through time: not linearly, but rhythmically. Rather than relying on walls or partitions, color becomes the soft divider, both anchoring and liberating. Through this approach, we articulate the tempo of living—moments of stillness and movement marked by tone instead of physical boundaries. The idea is to allow the spatial narrative to breathe, just like memory or thought: sometimes sharp, sometimes faded, always in flux. Color becomes the vessel through which time is made visible and personal.
At No8, our sustainability approach began with material honesty and low-impact choices. We prioritized FSC-certified wood for flooring and furniture, ensuring responsible forestry and reduced carbon emissions. Water-based paints and low-VOC finishes were used to maintain indoor air quality. In terms of energy efficiency, we implemented cross-ventilation strategies through an open floor plan and operable windows, minimizing dependence on mechanical cooling. Lighting is largely indirect and uses high-efficiency LED systems with motion sensors in transitional zones. Beyond materiality, we focused on longevity—custom fixtures and modular cabinetry are designed to adapt over time, reducing future waste. These decisions not only minimize environmental burden but enhance daily well-being by offering a breathable, adaptable, and toxin-free environment that supports both comfort and conscience.
At No8, we approached time not just as a sequence, but as a spatial cue. The layout was designed to adapt organically to the resident’s daily rhythm—from energized mornings to restful evenings. During the day, eastern light filters through the open-plan living and dining area, activating surfaces and guiding activity. A large multi-use table anchors this space, supporting meals, work, and conversation in a continuous flow. As daylight softens, layered lighting takes over. Hidden LED strips integrated into stepped ceilings and cabinetry offer ambient glow without visual noise. Sliding partitions in soft matte tones can close to create privacy or remain open to preserve spatial fluidity. The use of tactile materials—wood grains, muted textiles, and warm neutrals—supports a seamless emotional transition from productivity to stillness. This time-aware design turns the apartment into an emotional landscape that mirrors the day’s arc, allowing the space to breathe, slow down, and gently cradle rest.
The color block composition in No8 was inspired by abstract art and the study of spatial rhythm in architectural modernism. Rather than treating color as a surface decoration, we used large geometric blocks as spatial agents—elements that define flow, function, and feeling. Each block was assigned to a zone of activity, such as rest, dining, or circulation, and the transition between blocks mirrors the movement of the user. This compositional method introduces a controlled dynamism, where color is both an emotional register and a visual organizer. By stacking or overlapping these fields, we evoke the sensation of time unfolding across space, much like how light changes throughout the day. The contrast between muted and saturated tones creates visual pacing that guides perception. This architectural approach transforms the apartment into a living canvas, allowing inhabitants to interact with color not passively, but as an active part of their daily experience.
One of the most challenging aspects during the development of No8 between December 2022 and March 2023 was translating the abstract idea of time progression into a concrete spatial experience. We wanted the home to feel alive throughout the day—adapting naturally to shifts in mood, activity, and light. However, achieving this required more than flexible layouts or smart lighting systems. It meant shaping the architecture so that it could breathe with the occupant’s rhythms.A major difficulty was working within the constraints of the original structure. The apartment had a rigid floor plan and limited window openings. To overcome this, we restructured interior walls to create new visual and physical axes that allow light to move more freely across rooms. We also designed ceiling layers and material transitions to subtly signal the passage of time—from the cool quiet of morning light to the warm density of dusk.Additionally, the coordination between visual zoning and functional flexibility was delicate. We carefully selected color blocks and modular furniture to create zones that could expand or contract according to use, without disrupting the visual language. Through iterative prototyping and on-site testing, we ensured that the space would feel fluid, not fragmented. Ultimately, overcoming these challenges allowed us to create a home that responds to the invisible but constant flow of time.
In the No8 residence, achieving balance between bold color blocks and refined materials required careful calibration. While the vivid hues define the structure of each zone and create visual rhythm, we introduced soft, natural textures to anchor the space emotionally. The goal was to allow contrast without conflict—to let the space feel expressive but never chaotic.We selected materials like matte wood veneer, brushed stainless steel, and warm neutral paints to ground the vibrant color planes. These surfaces soften the visual impact and introduce tactile warmth. Custom furniture was also crucial. We designed pieces with clean lines and modular flexibility, ensuring they neither compete with nor disappear behind the color blocks. Their form offers visual rest, while their function adapts to daily life.The transitions between colors and materials were treated as architectural events. Rather than abrupt shifts, we layered surfaces or aligned them with furniture edges and ceiling features. This approach allows the eye to travel smoothly from one zone to another, giving the space a sense of flow and coherence.Ultimately, the harmony comes from intention. Every color choice and material pairing was tested on-site to ensure that the space feels vibrant yet calm, expressive yet grounded—a place where strong visual identity meets daily comfort.
The No8 residence was honored with the Iron A' Design Award for its sensitive approach to the relationship between time and space. Rather than treating architecture as fixed or static, we viewed the home as a responsive body—one that adapts to rhythms, light, and evolving needs. This concept shaped every decision, from spatial layout to material use.We designed with the idea that time is not just measured in hours but also in behavior, mood, and transition. Large color planes shift in response to changing daylight, echoing the passage of time. Rooms are not isolated but flow into one another, allowing space to stretch or retreat depending on function or moment. This fluidity made the space adaptable and human-centered.The award jury recognized how the home offers a dynamic visual story without sacrificing warmth or practicality. Our use of flexible furniture, layered surfaces, and intuitive circulation ensures that residents experience time as something lived, not imposed. The project invites people to inhabit their space with awareness—where color, texture, and light mirror daily rhythm and personal growth.In the end, the focus on temporal experience allowed the No8 residence to stand out. It is not just a home—it is a living instrument, tuned to the quiet evolution of everyday life.
The No8 residence was intentionally designed to respond to the shifting nature of modern life, where the boundary between living and working continues to blur. We approached the space as a flexible system—one that supports both personal quiet and social interaction, rest and productivity.At the core of the design is a reconfigurable layout. The long central table serves multiple purposes: it is a dining table, a workspace, a reading station, or a place to gather. Soft partitions and sliding doors allow zones to be opened or closed depending on the user’s needs at any time. This adaptability ensures that the home does not dictate behavior but instead supports it.The integration of daylight, neutral tones, and minimal forms provides a calm foundation for varied functions to coexist without conflict. Storage is hidden but accessible, keeping the space visually clear and emotionally grounded. By not overdefining the use of each area, we leave room for the user to redefine the space as their daily rhythm evolves.Ultimately, the No8 residence offers more than dual-purpose functionality—it fosters a state of flow, allowing work and life to inform one another organically within a seamless environment. It recognizes the importance of flexibility as not just a feature, but as a mindset for future living.
Our study of housing changes across different time periods revealed a clear pattern: spaces that endure are those designed with openness and flexibility in mind. Past housing models that rigidly defined rooms for fixed purposes often became obsolete as lifestyles evolved. In contrast, spaces that allowed reinterpretation over time remained relevant and useful.This research led us to focus on adaptability as a primary design goal for No8. Instead of creating static zones, we shaped the layout to encourage transformation. Movable furniture, layered lighting, and flexible room boundaries support both short-term shifts and long-term life changes. The home becomes a canvas that the user can repaint over time, rather than a fixed template.Another key finding was the emotional impact of material and light. From post-war minimalism to contemporary hybrid dwellings, the presence of natural light and textured, warm materials consistently contributed to long-term user satisfaction. These insights guided our use of wood finishes, neutral tones, and east-facing openings to draw light deep into the space and create a tranquil atmosphere.In short, our final design was shaped not only by the present needs of the user, but also by the temporal lessons embedded in housing history. No8 stands as a response to these insights—an adaptable, emotionally resilient home that evolves with time.
Looking ahead, the design approach used in No8 may influence residential and interior planning by prioritizing adaptability, rhythm, and emotional connection. As living patterns become more fluid and people seek spaces that support multiple functions, designs that embrace change rather than resist it will become essential. No8 offers a model where spatial identity is not fixed but evolves with the user, enabling homes to remain relevant across life stages.One likely future shift is a broader adoption of zone-blending, where living, working, and resting coexist without rigid separation. No8 achieves this through layered surfaces, movable furnishings, and color zoning that creates soft transitions rather than harsh boundaries. This way of planning allows occupants to reconfigure their environment daily or seasonally, depending on their needs.Furthermore, the use of visual cues like color fields and natural textures may inspire future designers to think beyond function and explore mood-driven planning. Emotional durability—how a space feels over time—could become just as important as structural longevity.Ultimately, the future of home design may center less on permanence and more on potential. No8 demonstrates how interior space can act as a living system—open, intuitive, and in sync with the user’s evolving lifestyle.
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