Tranquil Garden

The project is a newly completed residence located along the Kaohsiung harbor. The homeowners place great importance on parent–child interaction and hope that their home will be more than just a place to live, but a space that can accompany their children as they grow. With the “living room as the core,” the designer organized the spatial layout so that daily family activities naturally extend outward, while also reserving a comfortable corner for creative activities and for companionship with children to unfold freely. The overall design adopts a Western aesthetic as its foundation, blended with a restrained sense of openness and negative space. By avoiding excessive visual statements, the space is allowed to settle over time, gradually revealing a timeless and enduring character. The word “garden” originally refers to a place that gathers myriad elements—a landscape where emperors once hunted, collected nature, and observed life. In this project, such Eastern imagery is translated into a Western design vocabulary, transforming the home into a layered living garden that unfolds gradually through daily movement. At the entrance, a vividly colored red peony painting anchors the foyer as a focal scene, much like the main vista of a garden in full bloom. It symbolizes that the home not only collects tangible artworks and objects, but also preserves the intangible yet enduring moments of family life. Turning toward the dining area, an almond-leaf–shaped pendant light descends from the ceiling, casting gentle shadows like drooping branches and setting a soft atmosphere for everyday meals. As the view extends into the living room, a red garden-themed painting stands quietly in place. Each area becomes its own curated scene, and as one moves through the space, the scenery shifts accordingly—an intentional rhythm orchestrated by the designer, evoking the layered pace of an imperial garden stroll. What ultimately defines the space asa Tranquil Garden lies in the overall restraint of the background. Light color tones and stone-grain textures form a calm foundation, while sharp edges are deliberately softened.