W HOUSE

The kitchen and living areas are designed to form a unified, contemporary environment that balances modern minimalism with natural materials. Drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese tea culture, the space incorporates a live-edge wooden table that serves as a cultural and social anchor. The design emphasizes clean lines, a neutral color palette, and a seamless flow between the two spaces, creating a harmonious blend of modern elegance and cultural authenticity.

The kitchen and living areas are designed to form a unified, contemporary environment that balances modern minimalism with natural materials. Drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese tea culture, the space incorporates a live-edge wooden table that serves as a cultural and social anchor. The design emphasizes clean lines, a neutral color palette, and a seamless flow between the two spaces, creating a harmonious blend of modern elegance and cultural authenticity.

The kitchen and living areas are designed to form a unified, contemporary environment that balances modern minimalism with natural materials. Drawing inspiration from traditional Chinese tea culture, the space incorporates a live-edge wooden table that serves as a cultural and social anchor. The design emphasizes clean lines, a neutral color palette, and a seamless flow between the two spaces, creating a harmonious blend of modern elegance and cultural authenticity.

Location
Location

Taichung City, Taiwan

Square meters
Square meters

70m2 (combined kitchen and living area)

Date
Date

2019

Team
Team

Eizo Studio International LLC

Challenge
The challenge was to create an open kitchen and living space that merges sleek modern design with the warmth of natural materials, while honoring the cultural significance of tea culture. The design had to incorporate functional, minimalist aesthetics while providing a serene, inviting atmosphere for tea gatherings—a practice deeply rooted in Taiwanese and Chinese tradition.

Challenge
The challenge was to create an open kitchen and living space that merges sleek modern design with the warmth of natural materials, while honoring the cultural significance of tea culture. The design had to incorporate functional, minimalist aesthetics while providing a serene, inviting atmosphere for tea gatherings—a practice deeply rooted in Taiwanese and Chinese tradition.

Challenge
The challenge was to create an open kitchen and living space that merges sleek modern design with the warmth of natural materials, while honoring the cultural significance of tea culture. The design had to incorporate functional, minimalist aesthetics while providing a serene, inviting atmosphere for tea gatherings—a practice deeply rooted in Taiwanese and Chinese tradition.

Layout
The kitchen features minimalist cabinetry and stainless-steel appliances, integrated into wood-paneled walls for a seamless look. This flows into the living area, where the central feature is a large, live-edge wooden table—a symbol of connection in traditional Chinese tea culture. The table serves as both a functional surface and a social hub, encouraging tea gatherings and conversations. The open-plan layout allows for easy movement between the kitchen and living area, with soft lighting and reflective surfaces enhancing the sense of openness.

Layout
The kitchen features minimalist cabinetry and stainless-steel appliances, integrated into wood-paneled walls for a seamless look. This flows into the living area, where the central feature is a large, live-edge wooden table—a symbol of connection in traditional Chinese tea culture. The table serves as both a functional surface and a social hub, encouraging tea gatherings and conversations. The open-plan layout allows for easy movement between the kitchen and living area, with soft lighting and reflective surfaces enhancing the sense of openness.

Layout
The kitchen features minimalist cabinetry and stainless-steel appliances, integrated into wood-paneled walls for a seamless look. This flows into the living area, where the central feature is a large, live-edge wooden table—a symbol of connection in traditional Chinese tea culture. The table serves as both a functional surface and a social hub, encouraging tea gatherings and conversations. The open-plan layout allows for easy movement between the kitchen and living area, with soft lighting and reflective surfaces enhancing the sense of openness.

Implementation
In the kitchen, handle-free cabinetry and stainless-steel appliances offer a clean, modern aesthetic, while the polished stone countertop adds both elegance and durability. The living space, centered around the live-edge wooden table, embraces the traditions of Chinese tea culture. The table serves as a gathering point for tea ceremonies, a practice that promotes harmony, relaxation, and connection. The materials used throughout the space—wood, stone, and metal—are carefully chosen to enhance the tactile experience, while lighting is strategically placed to create an inviting ambiance, perfect for hosting tea gatherings and quiet reflection.

Implementation
In the kitchen, handle-free cabinetry and stainless-steel appliances offer a clean, modern aesthetic, while the polished stone countertop adds both elegance and durability. The living space, centered around the live-edge wooden table, embraces the traditions of Chinese tea culture. The table serves as a gathering point for tea ceremonies, a practice that promotes harmony, relaxation, and connection. The materials used throughout the space—wood, stone, and metal—are carefully chosen to enhance the tactile experience, while lighting is strategically placed to create an inviting ambiance, perfect for hosting tea gatherings and quiet reflection.

Implementation
In the kitchen, handle-free cabinetry and stainless-steel appliances offer a clean, modern aesthetic, while the polished stone countertop adds both elegance and durability. The living space, centered around the live-edge wooden table, embraces the traditions of Chinese tea culture. The table serves as a gathering point for tea ceremonies, a practice that promotes harmony, relaxation, and connection. The materials used throughout the space—wood, stone, and metal—are carefully chosen to enhance the tactile experience, while lighting is strategically placed to create an inviting ambiance, perfect for hosting tea gatherings and quiet reflection.

Cultural Context
Chinese Tea and Wooden Tables
In traditional Chinese tea culture, the tea table is not merely a functional piece of furniture, but a symbol of hospitality and connection. The live-edge wooden table in this design represents the natural beauty of the material, which resonates with the philosophy of harmony between man and nature. The act of preparing and sharing tea at this table encourages mindfulness and conversation, reflecting the values of peace, balance, and togetherness that are deeply embedded in Chinese culture. The table becomes the heart of the living area, inviting residents and guests to gather, share stories, and engage in the contemplative art of tea preparation.

Cultural Context
Chinese Tea and Wooden Tables
In traditional Chinese tea culture, the tea table is not merely a functional piece of furniture, but a symbol of hospitality and connection. The live-edge wooden table in this design represents the natural beauty of the material, which resonates with the philosophy of harmony between man and nature. The act of preparing and sharing tea at this table encourages mindfulness and conversation, reflecting the values of peace, balance, and togetherness that are deeply embedded in Chinese culture. The table becomes the heart of the living area, inviting residents and guests to gather, share stories, and engage in the contemplative art of tea preparation.

Cultural Context
Chinese Tea and Wooden Tables
In traditional Chinese tea culture, the tea table is not merely a functional piece of furniture, but a symbol of hospitality and connection. The live-edge wooden table in this design represents the natural beauty of the material, which resonates with the philosophy of harmony between man and nature. The act of preparing and sharing tea at this table encourages mindfulness and conversation, reflecting the values of peace, balance, and togetherness that are deeply embedded in Chinese culture. The table becomes the heart of the living area, inviting residents and guests to gather, share stories, and engage in the contemplative art of tea preparation.