This case is located in a 40-year-old community in an urban area, on the first floor of an apartment complex. It’s a uniquely preserved house in the city. The surrounding is naturally generated by greenery.

The courtyard of the house becomes an in-between place from the interior to the streets outside.

We retained a large part of the original appearance: it includes the original size of the windows on the exterior wall, original concrete rafters, old trees surrounding the house, and the red brick fence surrounding the neighboring houses.

Cheng “埕” is also a memory of a childhood life. This house where the owner lived growing up gives the next generation the best part of one’s memories.

The first section Cheng “埕” is a specific space with plenty of room. It also represents children’s innocent laughters. Here, children can run around the courtyard and play on the gravel with ease.

The second section Cheng “埕”, the rain cover and the doorsteps. They become the necessary pathway for entry. The entrance is not only for putting your shoes, but it’s also to accompany the children to play on the gravel as long as they need. 

The exterior wall uses a lower chroma, which is less obtrusive compare with the neighboring houses in appearance. It projected the sunshine and the shadow as the light passes between the leaves. With the black and white texture of the stones, it also creates a landscape from the outside looking in.

The third section Cheng “埕”, provides the best space to children and family.

Abandoning the typical interior layout and moving the dining table and work area to the entrance to welcome visiting guests. 

The practical space of the kitchen and bathroom is placed in the center of the apartment to connect the public and private areas.

Furthermore, the walkway connecting the public and private areas has a sliding door, with the option of making the living room become an independent space that can be used for the children or to give it more privacy. 

In the configuration of the living room, a customized and versatile low-table is placed in the center. The purpose is to treat children as the master of this space. This area can accommodate children and their peers. There is enough space for them to move. No TV is needed, because family and children can chat around the low-table, read books, play board games, and make arts and crafts. The low-table can also be split into two small tables as needed.

As for the bedroom, we return to the most basic necessities and materials. The glass partition allows the scenery and lighting of the front yard of the living room to penetrate through the entire space. When you close the curtains, it turns to a quiet resting place. 

We want to respect children’s own heart and their inner spirit, so we leave behind some white space for them. Our hope is that through each window, children can see a different scenery every time.