M CORE Living

M CORE Living is a furniture store specializing in statement pieces, focusing on unique items which allow customers to craft a home in the style of their own. The interior design prioritizes showcasing the products' features rather than the spatial form, hence the unconventional use of black contrary to typical furniture stores. M CORE Living aims to create a stage for the items to shine.

Because of Taiwan’s geographical nature, the time when people stay at home the most is usually after dark. The black interior ambiance of M CORE Living allows customers to envision the furniture in daily use when they’re at home after sunset. The real-life “dark mode” also helps the customers to immerse themselves in the relaxing atmosphere, with plants enhancing the sense of nature.

Alice in Wonderland inspired the aesthetics, with the faux stone bar counter design creating an illusion of a floating island, adding a touch of fantastical playfulness with visual wow-factor. Atmospheric lighting is used to emphasize the quality of the products, be it sophisticated, high-end, or modern, and not taking away the vibe of each individual piece of furniture. In addition, motion-sensor lighting is installed on staircase steps to provide a welcoming feel to customers or visitors, and at the same time conserving energy by not remaining lit constantly.

The building itself is made of corrugated iron, hence ventilation and heat insulation are less than optimal. Green building materials are employed to prevent the release of toxins due to heat. For instance, zero TVOC paint is used on the metal components. To tackle the heat issue, the designer opted for eco-friendly Cavalin insulating paint, significantly reducing the need for AC. The steel grate designs on the floors and ceilings promotes air flow, and skylights are installed on the roof to combat the lack of windows, solving the ventilation issue. The achieved spatial design is both healthy and aesthetically pleasing.