Located in the Da’an District of Taipei, this project is the "Laihao" office—a space tucked away in the city that reflects traditional Taiwanese culture. The brand’s philosophy and name originate from the founder’s childhood memories of a Sanheyuan (traditional three-sided courtyard house) in Chiayi County and his grandmother’s name, "Laihao." The old residence carries the imprints of hometown life and family emotions, shaping a deep connection to the land and a rich cultural foundation, which eventually evolved into a representative local Taiwanese brand.
In our design, we continue this cultural lineage by responding to the brand’s positioning of cultural heritage through spatial translation. We introduced the concept of the Sanheyuan into the space, reinterpreting the usage patterns of a contemporary office.
Regarding the use of materials, we employed birch plywood to present the warm texture of traditional mud bricks found in ancient houses. By juxtaposing traditional 1970s Taiwanese red octagonal tiles with modern carpeting, we established a visual layer where the old and new converge. The cabinet doors integrate brand identification imagery with integrated handles (Qu-shou), transforming cultural symbols into a tactile design language. This process converts memories into a brand identity embedded within the space, allowing history to be perceived and continued.
In terms of configuration and circulation planning, we transformed traditional spaces such as the Langxia (verandas) and Guchang (granaries) of the Sanheyuan into work scenes with different attributes, such as rest areas, discussion zones, and photography spaces. This allows users to freely switch their work styles according to their needs, forming a fluid and diverse usage model.
The central open area uses the Cheng (the central courtyard) of the Sanheyuan as the design core, with functional spaces such as the principal’s office, accounting room, meeting rooms, and pantry arranged around the perimeter. This causes each field to expand along the core and surround one another, forming a centripetal spatial relationship akin to a settlement. Through this centripetal spatial configuration, daily circulation naturally weaves into the core, connecting work, communication, and leisure functions. This echoes the high-interaction lifestyle of the Sanheyuan while strengthening the connection and exchange between people.
We have broken the established patterns of traditional office spaces, ensuring that the office is no longer just a production space pursuing efficiency, but a field where emotions can accumulate. Facing the trend of increasing standardization in modern office spaces, this project starts from a traditional architectural prototype and proposes a response with cultural identity. At the same time, this space serves as an important medium for the brand's external communication, translating local Taiwanese culture into a perceptible design language.
