2026 Winner
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At the heart of this design lies a dialogue between Eastern Zen aesthetics and contemporary hotel-style living. Minimalist spatial language weaves together natural landscapes, artistic installations, and functional scenes seamlessly.
The ground-floor reception area grounds itself in four elements: stone, water, wood, and greenery. A restrained palette of pale grey stone, dark walnut, and black marble establishes a calm monochrome foundation. Warm gold metal trims and mirror-polished stainless steel art pieces add quiet refinement. A still water mirror, natural placed stones, and carved wooden wall panels together form an entrance of quiet ceremony. A full-height glass curtain wall draws the outdoor garden inward. Controlled light and clean lines create a space where nature and art coexist in silence.
The bar lounge continues the language. Black gold stone countertops meet deep wood grille cabinetry. Metal detailing and fabric seating soften the cool surfaces. In the adjacent seating area, a glass-enclosed fireplace anchors the room. A sculptural black sofa and abstract ink wash paintings complete the setting. Warm light and a flickering flame invite relaxation, an intimate gathering space within a restrained whole.
From entry to interior, the design unfolds as a narrative arc: nature, then transition, then community. Living becomes an immersive, almost spiritual experience. The glass curtain wall, reflective water features, and borrowed landscape views make nature part of the interior. The result is a dwelling that feels at once within nature and within poetry.
Credits
Entrant
State University of New York at Buffalo
Category
Student Design - Furniture Design