The original condition of the house is an old brick dormitory that is over fifty years old. It is divided into two floors, with thirteen separate rooms and four bathrooms. It was rented out to the students from next-door university. After the owner took it back, the intention is to convert it into a residential property. The color palette combines natural and harmonious tones, blending with the outdoor scenery, allowing people to coexist elegantly with nature. With its minimalist design lines, it portrays the true desire for a relaxed, free, and secluded lifestyle.
Renovated old house often strike a balance between preserving the original charm and incorporating modern elements. This blend of old and new adds depth and richness to the aesthetics, combing the nostalgia of the past with the convenience and style of the present. The exterior of the building features square cement hollow bricks, pebbles, and deep gray aluminum grilles, outlining a 12-meter long and 2-story tall facade. The overall color scheme maintains harmony with the surrounding environment, creating a modern residence that is both open and private.
The first floor serves as the public domain, providing entertainment, dining, and socializing spaces for family and friends. The open-plan layout makes the limited area appear more spacious and airy. The layout follows a cruciform circulation pattern, enhancing transparency and adding a sense of ritual. The second floor serves as the private domain for the homeowners and their children. A five-meter-long bookshelf satisfies the family's desire for knowledge collection, while a three-meter-long table serves as a space for family leisure, reading, and communication, becoming an additional living area that strengthens parent-child relationship.
ncorporate sustainable and energy-efficient features during the renovation process is important to this fifty-years-old building. Due to its location near the mountains, the municipal utility lines (such as gas and sewage pipelines) cannot reach the area. To address the energy aspect, a heat pump water heater system is implemented. This system eliminates the need for bottled gas by providing hot water for daily use. It helps improve the long-standing water supply issues faced by residents in the area.
Pebble dashing were used to cover the ground and facade to add a natural aesthetic and unique texture to the house.
The site is located in the surrounding mountainous area of Shilin, Taipei, where there are old and dilapidated buildings. In the past, due to a lack of regulations, landowners were free to construct buildings according to their own preferences, resulting in a lack of uniformity in terms of architectural style and materials. The presence of this revitalized old house can create a strong sense of place and community connection, attracting individuals who value a vibrant and authentic neighborhood environment.
C House
XY Design
Bronze

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Vicki Spielmann
Group Creative Lead, Head of Brand Experience
at Google
5
7
5
5
5.5

Howard Duffy
Founder
at HTDSTUDIO Arkitekter AB
Very elegant use of bamboo as base...
6
8
6
7
6.75

Mark Anderson
Architect
at Mark Anderson Design
6
6
6
5
5.75

Sam McMorran
Strategy and Design Director
at IDEO
5
4
6
5
5

Bhavin Taylor
Founder / Interior Designer
at Bhavin Taylor Design
5
6
6
5
5.5

Nic Lee
Design Director
at Waterfrom Design Co., Ltd
5
5
5
5
5

Tracey Wiles
Principal
at woods bagot
6
6
6
5
5.75

Hana Ahriz
Co-founder
at Space & Pepper
+1 for the bamboo usage...
5
5
6
5
5.25

Puri Lighting Design
Design Director
at Beijing Puri Lighting Design
5
6
5
5
5.25

Vivian van Schagen
Founder
at The Invisible Party
Difficult to understand how this sp...
6
6
6
5
5.75

Franziska Heuschkel
Founder
at Space & Pepper
Having experienced bamboo forrests...
5
6
6
5
5.5

Agnes Kwek
Design Ambassador
at DesignSingapore Council
4
6
4
6
5

Lauren Touhey-Otto
Head of Design
at Kinzo Architekten GmbH
5
5
5
5
5

John Allsopp
Architect
at John Allsopp Studio
6
6
6
4
5.5
Location
Designer
Client
Chen Ying
Floor area
225 ㎡
Completion
2023
Budget
NT 7,000,000
Sanitary