four continuous gable roofs top extroverted residence by emerge architects in taiwan

fluid living environment under a distinctive roof

wrapped by the mountainous landscape in hsinchu, taiwan, the ‘under the roof’ house by emerge architects generates an open, continuous living environment topped by a series of four distinctive gable roofs. the design draws from the archetype image of a home, reinterpreting familiar residential forms and volumes and blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings. 

all images by OS studio/原間工作室

adopting an iconic volumetry and an extroverted character

the team at emerge architects & associates (find more here) designed a continuous form of four gable roofs in various sizes and inclines to top the residence. as a result, the project adopts an iconic volumetry that stands out among the surroundings. at the same time, the multiple peaks of the roofing serve as a reference to the nearby mountains, thus helping the dwelling integrate into the local landscape. 

the residence is quite extroverted, incorporating extended patios, glazing, balconies, and sliding doors that blur the limit between interior and exterior. the large windows face towards the mountainous surroundings, offering generous views from every corner of the house. the multiple outdoor areas help residents connect with nature, while still keeping them protected from unfortunate weather conditions. 

a house inside a house

the layout establishes a unique spatial relationship of ‘a house inside a house’. the continuous walls follow the large open spaces and then reveal more layers and separate spaces under the various roofs. in the living room, a sunken sofa space, and a mountain-shaped bookshelf provide the room with interesting visuals. meanwhile, a large glass surface is placed right in front of the sofa, offering eye-catching views of the mountainous scenery that changes with the seasons. 

the dining area is defined by reverse- mountain-shaped lights. the room is extended to a semi-outdoor space with a pizza stove oven. here, the large continuous roof looks lighter by extending the ceiling from inside to outside. made from a more lightweight material, the extended roof serves as an exterior glazed canopy that protects occupants from rain but still allows them to enjoy the natural sunlight. 

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project info: 

name: under the roof house

architecture firm: emerge architects
lead architects: sam yang, ally chang, uz liu
design team: louis willington, yen-yao lin
structural engineer: A.S architecture & structure
hydropower engineer: hoyai electrical engineer

location: hsinchu county, taiwan
site area: 2,522 sqm
construction area: 176.83 sqm
gross floor area: 302.03 sqm