House of Order

YHLAA

• Architects

Inhabited by family members spanning three generations, the residence is located among the houses lining the alleys of Taichung City. To accommodate the extremely narrow foundation and building, the design incorporates an atrium at the center of the building. By adding a tilt to the atrium of each floor in accordance with the angle of sunlight, light is able to penetrate vertically through each floor to reach the first floor space. The atrium serves as an important element for lighting and ventilation as well as an important intermediary space for interaction and communication among the families.

The first floor acts as a common room for the owner and a living space for his elderly mother. The dining room, the primary space for social activities among the family, is located on the well-lit and well-ventilated second floor, which offers a river view. Meanwhile, the third and fourth floors serve as personal spaces for the owner and his sister's family, respectively.

The buffer spaces provided by the atrium staircase act as personal spaces that accommodate the diverse lifestyles and activities of the families.

To counteract external noise and western exposure, the design utilizes deepset balconies and lightweight lattice surfaces to produce a shifting and poetic waltz of light and shadows in this intermediary space. This design opens up a wide field of vision while ensuring privacy at the same time.

Black on the outside and white on the inside, this unique expression by the building is a reflection of the owner's characteristics as well as their attitude towards the urban environment. The outward appearance facing the city is one of restraint and quiet - a kind of solitude from the external noise. The inner life of the residence is bright and varied - a kind of inclusiveness of the myriad appearances of life.