The Quadrant Sanctuary

Located on the top floor of a high-rise in Taichung, this 86-square-meter residence redefines the boundaries of compact family living. Home to a family of four—including young children in elementary school and kindergarten—the design challenge was to balance the need for distinct private quarters with a desire for a cohesive, interactive public space.
The conceptual core of the project is the "Quarter Circle." Due to strict Feng Shui requirements regarding the placement of the children's bedrooms, the floor plan was rigorously reorganized. The traditional enclosed study was sacrificed to create a proper bedroom for the son, shifting the workspace into the open living area. This move transformed the living room, dining area, and study into a single, fluid quadrant that occupies roughly one-fourth of the apartment’s footprint.
To mitigate the visual compression of the low ceiling beams and the necessary air conditioning equipment, a sweeping curved bulkhead was introduced. This architectural arc does not merely conceal infrastructure; it acts as a soft embrace, guiding the eye from the entrance through the living space, effectively softening the rigid boundaries of the small apartment.
Materiality plays a crucial role in expanding the sense of space. Rather than using heavy laminates, the walls and ceilings are coated in eco-friendly mineral paints with a hand-brushed texture. A metallic-finish special paint on the television wall adds a subtle sheen and depth. The lighting design eschews overpowering fixtures in favor of 3500K linear LED strips. These "lines of light" act as spatial delineators, stretching the visual perspective and creating a warm, conducive environment for the family’s priority: reading and education.
Despite the heavy storage demands of a four-person household, the design strategically avoids floor-to-ceiling cabinetry in every corner to prevent a sense of overcrowding. Instead, floating joinery and open shelving maintain a sense of lightness. This project proves that with thoughtful geometry and lighting, a modest footprint can provide a boundless sense of home.