Framed Sanctuary

Minimalist Living Interior for CHT Architect and Partidesign Studio

Framed Sanctuary is a minimalist interior that transforms a 40 year old apartment into a calm, reflective living space. A 1.5 centimeter steel frame defines spatial boundaries without walls, allowing light and air to flow freely. Concrete, wood and monochrome tones enhance material contrast and sensory depth. The restructured layout improves daylight access, circulation and spatial clarity, with focus on framed views and daily rituals. The project emphasizes structure, emptiness and light to create a quiet yet engaging atmosphere in a dense urban setting.

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Framed Sanctuary by Chien Hao Tseng

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Minimalist Living Interior by Chien Hao Tseng

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Chien Hao Tseng Framed Sanctuary

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Chien Hao Tseng Minimalist Living Interior

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Unique Properties

This project reimagines a 40 year old apartment into a minimalist sanctuary. Monochrome materials black steel, concrete, and oak are integrated with precision, forming spaces that feel both structured and calm. Light flows through reconfigured openings, enhancing spatial clarity and emotional comfort. Without traditional partitions, the home invites reflection, reading and peaceful daily living through considered composition and material warmth.

Tags

Minimalist Interior, Adaptive Reuse, Steel Frame, Urban Apartment, Spatial Framing, Modern Zen, Monochrome Design, Daylight Optimization, Concrete and Wood, Taipei

Production Technology

The project required precise engineering to integrate steel, concrete, and wood with seamless connections. A 1.5 cm steel frame was custom fabricated to be lightweight yet load bearing. Wall integration, anchoring systems, and surface junctions were resolved through prototyping and testing. The outcome is a structure that supports both aesthetic clarity and technical reliability within a minimalist framework.

Design Challenge

The greatest challenge was integrating ultra-slim 1.5 cm steel frames that are both visually light and structurally strong. Achieving seamless connections between materials metal, concrete and wood required extensive prototyping. The project also overcame challenges in optimizing daylight within a poorly lit 40 year old layout, requiring total spatial reconfiguration under government renovation regulations.

Project Duration

The project began in November 2023 in Taipei, Taiwan, and was completed in July 2024 after eight months of structural redesign and interior construction.

Operation Flow

Residents move freely through the open plan living, kitchen, and reading areas. The space naturally guides the user through light, texture, and material transitions. Custom built elements such as the metal frames and furniture are positioned to define function zones without physical barriers, encouraging fluid, intuitive interaction.

Research

This design is based on applied design research aiming to transform old apartment layouts for modern minimalist living. Qualitative research included spatial behavior studies and lighting simulations. Physical prototypes and material stress tests were conducted to refine the metal framework. The result is a structurally optimized and visually calm environment, which promotes both spatial clarity and emotional well being. The research contributes to adaptive reuse practices in urban housing design.

Inspiration

Inspired by the Japanese concept of Ma, this project explores the balance between structure, emptiness, and light. Natural light becomes a compositional element, casting shifting shadows across raw concrete and warm wood. A 1.5 cm metal frame defines spatial boundaries without walls, while material transitions emphasize quiet beauty. The result is a spatial sanctuary where simplicity supports reflection and everyday rituals.

Image Credits

Image #1: Architect / Photographer Chien Hao Tseng, Framed Sanctuary, 2024. Image #2: Architect / Photographer Chien Hao Tseng, Framed Sanctuary, 2024. Image #3: Architect / Photographer Chien Hao Tseng, Framed Sanctuary, 2024. Image #4: Architect / Photographer Chien Hao Tseng, Framed Sanctuary, 2024. Image #5: Architect / Photographer Chien Hao Tseng, Framed Sanctuary, 2024.

Project Overview

Framed Sanctuary Minimalist Living Interior has been a Bronze winner in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

Bronze Recognition

Chien Hao Tseng was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Framed Sanctuary Minimalist Living Interior.

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