2025 | Professional

MUSE Design Awards Silver Winner

The Gray Haven

Entrant Company

CJID

Category

Interior Design - Compact Living

Client's Name

Country / Region

Taiwan

In an era where urban dwellings are increasingly constrained, The Gray Haven redefines compact living by merging adaptability, spatial efficiency, and sensory balance. The project responds to the demands of multi-generational living, where individual privacy must be reconciled with fluid communal interactions. Rather than treating space as a static entity, this design envisions a home that evolves with its inhabitants, anticipating changes in routine, lifestyle, and generational needs.



The core concept revolves around "Silent Flow", an architectural language that expresses movement within stillness. The centerpiece of this philosophy is the gray decorative wall, finished with an artistic coating that interacts with light, texture, and shadow throughout the day, subtly shifting the perception of depth and enclosure. This element is not a mere backdrop but a dynamic participant in daily life, enhancing spatial transitions while maintaining visual coherence.



The vision was to create a residence that remains inherently flexible—where rooms are functionally adaptable rather than rigidly defined, and where materials, lighting, and layout foster a harmonious atmosphere of calm and fluidity. A modular planning strategy ensures that spaces such as the dining area, originally designed for intimate family gatherings, can expand seamlessly to accommodate larger social settings. The interplay of neutral palettes, structured lighting, and tactile finishes fosters a sense of grounded sophistication while maximizing perceived spaciousness.



Beyond functionality, the design aspires to establish a sensory dialogue between user and space. The inclusion of a touch-sensitive smart lighting system enables lighting to shift according to the rhythms of the day, reinforcing circadian alignment and energy efficiency. As time passes, the home subtly adapts—not just in form but in the way it engages the senses, ensuring that compact living is not synonymous with compromise but with precision and intentionality.

Credits

Designer
YU-CHING CHEN
Designer
SHAN-TING HOU
Photography Team
YioO
More Silver Winners
Architectural
2025
MUSE Design Awards - Gradient Living

Entrant Company

Yanci Chen & Jiawei Yao & Sonam Lhamo

Category

Architectural Design - Residential

Product
2025
MUSE Design Awards - Anti-bacterial Kitchen Knife and Block Set

Entrant Company

HONWAY INDUSTRIES LTD.

Category

Product Design - Kitchen Accessories / Appliances

Product
2025
MUSE Design Awards - H8 Chopard Series Custom-made Shower Room

Entrant Company

Guangdong 1858 Home Co.

Category

Product Design - Bathroom Fittings / Appliances

Product
2025
MUSE Design Awards - InfraWatch

Entrant Company

Rhode Island School of Design

Category

Product Design - Safety