yinjispace

INTERIOR
KINJO DESIGN
PHOTOGRAPHY
AYstudio
EDITOR
Gina
Collection

This is the home we designed for game concept designer HJL, a high-rise residence overlooking a garden suspended above the highway. "In the confined space of the city—where urban life and nature merge, creating more room through a three-dimensional transformation," the project embodies a concept that feels both magical and grounded in reality. Using painting as his primary medium, HJL’s interests are vast, ranging from games and models to natural history, weaponry, aerospace, and architecture. These diverse pursuits provide a multifaceted lens through which his creative identity can be viewed, forming a connection that unfolds like a continuous inner world, yet still leaves plenty of room for imagination.

The design concept is rooted in the ideal fusion of nature and urban space. The topography, with its varying elevations, is one of HJL's favorite urban scenes – "you can’t take it all in at once, but there are surprises around every corner." The city is always a puzzle, with another unknown piece waiting to be uncovered. The original layout features a four-bedroom, two-living-room, two-bathroom configuration, with a conventional, balanced arrangement. While each space is systematically organized, the overall effect is rigid and cramped. As a personal living space, it lacks the relational scale and spatial imagination that would truly align with everyday life. Therefore, starting from the interaction between the environment and the space, we deconstruct the façade relationships based on the original four-bedroom layout. This approach creates dynamic divisions and connections, with varying heights and extensions, crafting an organic flow of sightlines and spatial sequences. The design explores the evolution of indoor relationships—unified yet diverse, open yet restrained—reimagining the natural scale that urban spaces have gradually forgotten.

The entrance, defined by a sunken platform, serves as a transitional "courtyard" into the interior. Half-height cabinets, paired with horizontal windows, frame views and guide movement along a curved path. The slender faucet hangs delicately, establishing a tranquil entry ritual.

Hanging items, removing shoes, cleaning hands—this progression, from outside to inside and from complexity to simplicity, cultivates a space of natural introspection. By adjusting the layout and circulation, the previously enclosed kitchen has been opened up, expanding from an L-shape to a U-shape, resulting in a more spacious and fluid environment. The entrance and kitchen—two relatively confined spaces—are harmoniously integrated through the use of wood, scale, and light, creating a soft, cohesive transitional space. The cabinet volume is used to define the spatial experience of the doorway, with the floor guiding toward the double doors, enhancing the ritualistic act of entering the main space. Through a concise and restrained approach, it evokes the scale of traditional residences. When the double doors are opened for daily use, they seamlessly retract to the sides, enhancing the continuity of the space.

Inspired by the ideal concept of the "garden," the living and multi-functional spaces, centered around the daily presence of books and plants, merge into a unified scene of "reading + relaxation." Their interconnected forms dissolve the traditional living room-centric layout. The elevated platform integrates ample storage, forming a spacious L-shaped surface that encourages a relaxed daily routine of casual sitting and lounging. As a multifunctional element, it seamlessly transforms the previously independent areas into a naturally flowing corridor space.

Facing the core challenge of storage—managing the pressure of a large model collection—the space is reduced to its essential framework. Within the open layout, one section incorporates hidden storage that seamlessly integrates with the space's "topography," while the other part, in a more untamed state, is freed from precise control. As a collage, books, models, and plants come together to form a shared "settlement," weaving a diverse "geographic" pixel. Stone steps and plants grow in a staggered arrangement. The landscape area, as part of the natural language of the space, also functions as a daily experience. The multi-functional room integrates seamlessly with the landscape, drawing on the form of outdoor terrain. The tatami wood veneer, with the same saw-tooth pattern as the living room floor, creates an open, organic whole with a natural, textured feel. When walking barefoot, the different areas are naturally defined by the scale of personal activity—upward or downward.

Incorporating solid columns into the space—natural limestone, with textures shaped by deposition and weathering, weaves a tactile character into the space. At the same time, its sculptural form establishes a framework that imbues the space with openness, embodying a state of "emptiness." An external stone slab washbasin, integrated into the open layout of stone columns and steps, Extends the gray space, framing the landscape at the end of the corridor. The form and function of water reflect an Eastern natural spirit. The interplay of horizontal and vertical lines maintains a balanced and restrained order, while a vertical mirror enhances the visual depth, adding layers of tranquility and dynamic stillness. 

In an open-plan layout, the dining area is harmonized with the facade by a large white frame. Designed with practicality in mind, a custom form allows for easy swapping of artworks, transforming the space into a daily realm of art and perception. Within this spatial domain, a sense of inward extension is created, nurturing the sensory experience and leisurely flow of everyday life. The imagery and perception of the space cultivate an aesthetic spiritual realm. Wood and white walls establish a pure, harmonious spatial tone. The light gray micro-cement facade, with its subtle tonal shifts between near and distant views, recedes from the overall space, becoming a soft, ethereal backdrop. Within the room, however, it envelops the space, creating a calm, secure atmosphere that fosters a sense of inward tranquility.

By adjusting the scale, the original hallway space is integrated into the bedroom area, extending the transition from the dynamic zone to the quiet zone. The boundary between the bedroom and living room is defined by a low platform and flexible sliding doors, inspired by the traditional indoor-outdoor relationship of the East. This approach eliminates enclosure, creating fluid spatial connections. The sunken space, combined with partially concealed greenery, blurs the lines between interior and exterior, fostering a tranquil and pure atmosphere rooted in nature. With the opening and closing of the space, a sense of freedom is nurtured, linking the room to the ‘wild.’

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