IDPA Japan Design Award

2025 International Design Pioneer Award | Japan Tokyo
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The Urban Treehouse

by SPU Design international

Project Description


This exclusive residential project is designed around the principle of harmonizing with the natural surroundings. Emphasizing an open layout in the public areas, the interior is bathed in natural light and lush greenery, offering residents a revitalizing escape. The development is meticulously planned with year-round barrier-free design, promoting a welcoming and inclusive living environment. Inspired by the serene forest landscapes of Taiwan's Alishan Mountain, the design incorporates intricate solid wood latticework, evoking a sense of abundant natural beauty. Furthermore, the project utilizes 60% environmentally friendly, durable, and recyclable green building materials, aligning with the low-carbon "cradle to cradle" philosophy.
Upon entering the residence, one is immediately struck by the expansive and transparent public area. In addition to encompassing the essential functions of a living room and kitchen, the designer deliberately integrated a reading space situated behind the sofa. This space is seamlessly connected to the communal area, enabling residents to engage in activities such as resting, dining, reading, and office work within the same area, thereby amplifying the space's multifunctionality.
To facilitate the extension of greenery within the space, the designer purposefully employed fog and gray mirror installation methods to manipulate the ingress of natural light. This deliberate choice results in a dynamic interplay of light and virtual imagery, bestowing the space with an ever-changing interplay of light and shadow. In consideration of the diverse needs of potential occupants, including individuals of varying ages and abilities, the designers conscientiously allocated space for wheelchairs and assistive devices. Furthermore, meticulous spatial planning ensures unimpeded movement, fostering an environment that is not only inclusive but also conducive to independent mobility and daily living, thus embodying a "people-oriented" and welcoming ethos.
To replicate natural lighting, the corridor incorporates indirect lighting and angled design. This approach achieves the desired visual effect of "seeing the light, not the source" from the exterior while creating a softer and more even illumination. Within the master bedroom, the utilization of floor-to-ceiling windows and an L-shaped desk optimally maximizes available space. The presence of a verdant balcony outside the window provides an opportunity for nature enthusiasts to engage with the outdoors, while also enhancing room lighting, ventilation, and air quality.
This project is centered on the principle of "environmental coexistence." The designer has prioritized the creation of a barrier-free environment to foster residential friendliness. In response to the extensive use of panels in interior decoration, the designer has opted for low formaldehyde materials and specifically incorporated "recycled green building materials." These materials adhere to the principles of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, thereby promoting sustainable recycling and safeguarding residents' health. Furthermore, the design minimizes non-essential features that obstruct ventilation to reduce the reliance on air-conditioning equipment, addressing the local subtropical climate and high-rise building attributes. An efficient energy recovery ventilator has been integrated to facilitate natural ventilation and effectively eliminate carbon dioxide from the indoor environment without the need to open windows, thus achieving the desired outcome of natural ventilation.

SPU Design international


SPU Design is a professional interior design and decoration service provider legally registered under the Regulations on Building and Interior Decorations by the Ministry of the Interior. These years, based on recommendations of clients and their reappointments, our business has been growing and has established full completeness in the market. Meanwhile, with positive and progressive system of professional training, and with the principles of being honest, active, professional and eco-friendly, we have won supports from our clients and acknowledgement from the market.
We provide our clients with complete service, including interior design and planning, decoration and lump-sum contract construction, professional design for the office and engineering project manager. We offer professional services of competitiveness to the market, and insist on the idea “eco-friendly and natural vitality,” to give our clients healthy life arrangement of high quality. Recently, we have also broadened services over office, business, public space and other specialized design and construction arrangement, to satisfy our clients with professional, reliable, and loyal services of high quality.
Business Principle
We provide our clients with complete service, including interior design and planning, decoration and lump-sum contract construction, professional design for the office and engineering project manager. We offer professional services of competitiveness to the market, and insist on the idea “eco-friendly and natural vitality,” to give our clients healthy life arrangement of high quality. Recently, we have also broadened services over office, business, public space and other specialized design and construction arrangement, to satisfy our clients with professional, reliable, and loyal services of high quality.

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