Hairpin House

Drawing inspiration from the surrounding mountainous terrain, the meandering residence incorporates the concept of the mountain's winding roads, with "softness", "fluidity" and "curvature" integrated throughout the architecture. The concept of a continual loop imbues the space with softness and warmth, according to designers James Leng and Jennifer Ly of J. Jih Studio, for whom softness and roundness are also key to craftsmanship, with incredibly detailing from the flat concrete walls to the winding staircases.

In addition, this room is distinguished by the materials used, where the preservation of the original characteristics of the materials is the focus of the architectural firm's efforts. To integrate the modern with the ancient, the whole room was constructed using just wood, stone, and concrete, with no painting nor coating. Curves in the ceiling draw attention to the staircase, correlating with curves in the atrium itself and the design of the continuous atrium and foyer, while the chandelier is a simple sphere cut from a single piece of marble, demonstrating the notion of curvature. Subtle decorative elements also attracted the attention of the designers, who specialized in subtle textures, such as the beveled frame on the kitchen cabinets mirroring the rippling pattern of the stone in the fireplace, all to satisfy the old and new aesthetic of the new makeover. The form of the fireplace and the way its edges bend toward the fire are intended to bring visual attention to the fire's warmth.

However, J. Jih Studio designers do not stop there. Due to their own Eastern cultural background, when asked about the Eastern elements in their designs, they respond that their own culture is a subconscious element in their designs and that they are currently working on incorporating non-Western sources of inspiration in their materials so that more designs can complement each other in diversity.