Building your own dream home from scratch is not an easy task for everyone. Even if you have the land and funds ready, it doesn't guarantee that you can build it exactly the way you want. It's not just about design; it's more about whether the construction can be seamlessly executed and if the project details can be effectively implemented. What we do is help homeowners turn the impossible into possible, offering a comprehensive package from land planning and architectural design to construction and interior decoration.
A few years ago, a young couple approached us with their house-buying experience. They had been searching everywhere for a suitable home but couldn't find one, and the property prices were exorbitant. Luckily, their father had a piece of unused land, so they came to us to explore the possibility of building their dream home from scratch.
The land was rectangular in shape, a typical urban plot. After analyzing the land and understanding their requirements through discussions, we confirmed that their vision could be realized on this piece of land. Thus, we began the plan to build their dream home through self-construction.
Considering their need to commute by car due to work, we allocated parking space in the front section of the ground floor. The interior spaces include an entrance foyer, dining area, kitchen, and a backyard.
We opted for a non-traditional straight entrance design and instead planned a side entrance for better flow and privacy after parking the car.
The entrance foyer features a shoe cabinet combined with storage, providing a display effect. The dining area incorporates a kitchen island and dining table to fulfill functional needs. The spacious kitchen fully satisfies the lady of the house's dream kitchen desires. It is anticipated that she will be able to cook delicious meals for her family with pleasure in the days to come.
Underneath the staircase, we created storage spaces to accommodate outdoor equipment, household supplies, cleaning tools, and more. The backyard also offers ample space for storing large items like bicycles, making the best use of the area.
The front section of the second floor is dedicated to a living room, providing ample space for the whole family to enjoy quality time together. The design of the front balcony offers a cozy spot for the homeowners to relax and unwind.
In the middle section, along the wall, we installed display cabinets consisting of open shelves and closed storage units. The homeowners can use this space to showcase books, memorabilia, and collectibles, with abundant storage capacity.
The rear section of the second floor was initially planned to have a slide that would allow sliding from the second floor to the first floor. The original idea was that once the lady of the house finished cooking, the man of the house could slide down with the children to have a meal. It was an interesting design, but it was later decided to change it to a netted ball pool. The remaining space was planned as a children's play area and a restroom. Children can have great fun here, and the light shining through the netting enlivens the space. This area fosters playful interaction between adults and children across two floors.
Ascending to the third floor, we designed it as the master bedroom. The overall room layout includes a front balcony, followed by a sleeping area and a small resting area. This zone primarily focuses on providing a comfortable space for rest, without excessive decorations, catering to the essential needs of sleep.
In the middle section, we incorporated a significant amount of wardrobe and storage cabinets, along with a tea cabinet function, combining multiple requirements into one space.
The rear section of the house primarily consists of bathroom spaces. We designed a Davy bath with wet and dry separation to fulfill the homeowners' relaxation needs. We incorporated a sunken bathtub, which was the desire of the lady of the house. This feature could only be achieved through architectural planning from the beginning. We made efforts to achieve it. The corridor combines a washbasin area with a laundry room and is complemented by the setting of the rear balcony, providing complete functionality.
The family has two young children, so we planned two children's rooms on the fourth floor. However, due to their young age, we temporarily designed the front section as an open space with a large tatami bed, serving multiple purposes. As the children grow older, this space can be easily converted into separate rooms. On the side of this floor, we designed a balcony that can be accessed outdoors. This was done to enhance ventilation and natural light in the longitudinal direction of the house, providing a comfortable atmosphere. The rear section of this floor is designed as a bedroom and a bathroom.
On the top floor of the house, the functional part is dedicated to a sports and leisure space. We designed a large mirror to allow the homeowners to exercise, do yoga, and relax both physically and mentally. It is a versatile space. The front outdoor area is a spacious terrace, and the sunken area within it can be used in various ways. During summer, children can play in the water here, and it can also be used for hosting BBQ parties with friends and family, combining indoor and outdoor spaces for a delightful experience. The rear terrace area serves as a clothes drying space.
In terms of structure, we adopted a raft foundation to ensure structural safety and stability. The reinforcement bars on each floor were meticulously interconnected. For us, a home is a place where we can feel safe and secure, a place that protects us. Therefore, we never compromise on structural safety. In this project, we used a system formwork system. Unlike conventional formwork, which often results in uneven surfaces after removal, the system formwork provides a flat surface. It has higher density and is less prone to water leakage. The treatment of the building surface materials is also more solid.
The architectural design incorporates various geometric shapes, and multiple pentagons represent the concept of "home." The design of inward-angled windows not only enhances the three-dimensional effect but also provides ventilation, lighting, and resistance to dirt. For the exterior, we used a weather-resistant coating system as the main decorative finish. The gray cement-based coating creates a low-profile and stable appearance, adding texture.
The exterior facade design incorporates different spatial depths and transitional spaces to create a unique spatial experience. The black glass with iron railing elements is sleek and minimalist. Light and shadow penetrate through the architectural structure, casting patterns inside. The interior staircase continues the geometric design concept.
In terms of interior design style, the main focus is on practicality and a sense of life, with a touch of fun while maintaining the geometric concept. This can be felt from the design of the entrance cabinet. Therefore, in terms of decoration, we avoided excessive decorative elements and materials. Apart from essential storage spaces, there is not much decoration. This approach is due to incorporating the users' needs during the architectural planning stage. As a result, when the building is completed, most of the requirements are already met, without the need to modify unsuitable areas.
In terms of color selection, the interior of the entire building is themed around blue. On the ground floor, the walls feature three different shades of blue as the main color, complemented by black staircase railings and kitchen appliances. The blue tones are also applied to the entrance cabinet and storage cabinet under the stairs. The floor is covered with gray stone-patterned tiles, adding a sense of stability to the space. Light filters through the mesh from the second floor, adding expression to the space.
The color scheme on the second floor continues the same palette as the ground floor. Most of the walls are in light blue, while a darker shade of blue is used on the TV wall to create emphasis. A notable feature is the half-round arc wall of the staircase, which includes a gray color block, making it particularly eye-catching. The floor is covered with highly durable wood-patterned flooring, making it easy to clean and providing a safe area for children to play. In the toilet area of the rear section, colorful multi-sided tiles are used, adding a playful touch.
On the staircase wall leading to the master bedroom on the third floor, the blue color is again used as a starting point. Most of the walls in the master bedroom are in light blue, while a darker shade is used for the headboard. It's worth mentioning that the dressing area extending to the bathroom is differentiated with a deeper shade of blue. The front area has a gray wood-patterned floor, while the bathroom area has gray tiles. The cabinets are made of white wood-patterned panels paired with gray-black stone-patterned panels. The shower area features decorative tiles that add a touch of brightness.
The fourth floor also incorporates varying shades of blue in the color scheme. On the headboard wall in the children's room, four different shades of blue are used in a geometric manner. The bathroom space is adorned with white ceramic tiles with a stone texture and gold metal accents.
On the fifth floor, the walls are primarily in light blue, with a pink partition used in the exercise area. What stands out is the use of a deeper shade of blue on the walls close to the ceiling and on the ceiling itself, indicating that it is the top floor. The two short walls of the staircases feature an interplay of three different shades.
The entire project exudes a calm and understated feeling from the inside out. However, the interior color combinations present a different visual experience. The decoration is practical and unpretentious, filled with a sense of life and usability. We have dedicatedly crafted a unique dream home exclusively for the homeowners, from the architecture to the interior, without compromising on the building facade, interior layout, design, and details. We have paid attention to every aspect, ensuring the homeowners can happily live here for decades to come.
For us, a home is a vessel of life, carrying the dreams and emotions of a family. It is only by genuinely considering the homeowners' perspective and treating it as if it were our own home that we can truly create a perfect custom-built residence.