human + plant life merge within KC design studio's residential project in taipei

KC design studio has renovated a 40-year-old residential building in taipei, transforming the previously unused basement into a new living space for a family of four. the structure showcases a typical apartment building sandwiched between the left and right buildings, with the light coming from the front and the back.

all images courtesy of KC design studio

there were a lot of issues that KC design studio had to solve in terms of the pre-existing space function. for example, the ventilator of the original basement was located at a 65-cm height difference between the first-floor base and the street. however, as the forecourt is used for parking, and the backyard is used for sun-drying clothes, the ventilator of the basement was always covered without exerting its function. therefore, the dark basement could only be used as a storage space in the past.

one of the first operations that the architects carried out was the removal of the floor area on the first level, near the forecourt and the backyard, in order to generate a courtyard. this resulted in the optimization of lighting and the ventilation within the basement area, improving the overall living conditions of the residence. in this way, the old concept of the basement has disappeared, creating a new relationship between the upstairs and downstairs.

the front half area close to the street is used as the parking space, courtyard, and worshipping hall, while there is also a staircase leading downstairs. the space downstairs serves as an interaction point for the family members, which further extends to the living room, dining room, and kitchen. when the family gets together, they can easily still enjoy the maple trees and sunlight at the forecourt from downstairs. here, the back half area has a closed, private character. 

through the opening on the ground of the back area of the first floor, the tree top extends to the height of the desk surface in the master bedroom. the sword fern, ceriman, and philodendron downstairs also extend through the L-shape courtyard on the first floor to serve as a screen of the children’s rooms. the relationship of symbiosis between men, plants, and the house is achieved. ‘with the greenness in the changes of seasons, the purport of life hidden in life can be realized’ the architects share.

project info:

name: house H
architecture office: KC design studio
project team: chun-ta, tsao / kuan-huan, liu / siao-yu, sung

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom