Light in the wilderness

About The Entry

“And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you.”

First Book of Nephi 17:13

Inspired by a passage in the holy scriptures, this project explores the concept of light in the wilderness by drawing on natural, neutral, and subdued materials to build the backdrop, while blending authentic and inventive light effects to ultimately create a home that offers respite in the “urban wilderness.”

A couple with four children, the owners of this residence prefer to maintain a balance between family closeness and individual privacy. The floorplan thus devises two traffic flows to simultaneously fulfill this request. Based on existing window types, two distinct atmospheres resembling daytime and nighttime, respectively, evoke a sense of light movement and temporality. Imageries are achieved by two kinds of light effect. First is physical, which encompasses natural sunlight from

the windows, indirect light within the interior, and various light fixtures, all serving as tangible sources of light. Second is inventive, achieved by artworks placed in various corners in the residence. Thematically associated with light, these artworks represent the spiritual essence of light.

The space begins from an artwork (“Post-Digital Surface” series) at the foyer. Stepping into the residence, one will immediately notice the continuous transformations of the artwork as they move. This visual wonder sets out to impart the experience of infinite variations even on an ordinary day, like a pleasant surprise welcoming the residents when they return home.

Next is the communal traffic flow. Through the suspended light rods resembling a screen of inverted silver grass, one catches a glimpse of an area seemingly enclosed by a light box. On the wall, color codes reminiscent of the sky symbolize the light guiding one home, exuding gentle warmth as the hues shift. Two sets of sofa referencing giant boulders are distributed in the wilderness. The placid and serene stone veneer walls, weathered iron cabinets, and wind-swept wooden panels collectively form an abstract landscape.

The suspended lamps are arranged randomly to create a visual rhythm akin to swaying silver grasses, injecting a vibrant mood into the otherwise quiet space. The existing architectural structure is intentionally exposed to showcase the raw beauty of unadorned concrete columns and fire-resistant metal H-beams. The eccentric design seeks to emphasize the inherent strength and stability of the building.

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