The light wood is supplemented by a selection of Asian fabrics, subdued lighting, and rounded corners, to curate a tranquil ambiance. A sliding desk made of oak and brass is carefully crafted to move along the windowsill between the living room and the bedroom. As one moves away from the window, darkness turns one’s attention inward, guiding one to a more meditative state. A wide range of dark materials, including black oak, black granite, black lava stone, black paper cord, dark concrete paint, and greyish ceramic tiles, are used.

Spatially, dark space also adds a sense of depth to the breath of space created by light materials. Our perception of light and dark materials changes as the light changes. During the day, the light-oak living room and black dining room may appear to have a stark contrast. At dusk as the sun set, the evening light diminishes the boundaries between the light and dark materials, what we used to perceive as “contrast” now becomes united, and what we used to see as two spaces now becomes one. The layout of the 62 sqm apartment is overhauled to make the panoramic harbour view visible to the entire apartment.

The oak ceiling is draped to conceal the misaligned beams, softening the otherwise rigid rectilinear living room. To curate a sense of oneness, sliding screens are used to open up all rooms. In the bedroom, a bespoke tapparelle shutter screen conceals the television mounted on the wall. Plenty of built-in storage is designed to let the living room breathe. A custom-made onsen ofuro is installed in the bathroom for ultimate relaxation.