Tsai Residence: A Minimalist Rental Apartment in TaipeiCreating Flexibility and Purity of Space
Constraints during the design process can come in various forms. They can be socially, culturally, economically, and politically driven, adding a whole new aspect to the development of projects. Tai & Architectural Design has envisioned the space for a couple, who work in central Taipei city. In regards to the property, it may be only rented for five years from the government, at the end of which, they must return it in the same condition. Following these guidelines, the architect has maintained the flexibility of the interior while providing a movable storage system that can still be reused when the contract has expired.
Nowadays, many young people in cities like Hong Kong, Tokyo, Taipei, and even London struggle to afford a property to call home due to high housing prices. Tai & Architectural Design recognizes this issue and takes the responsibility to control the budget while maintaining the quality of the space.
The Tsai Residence is a rental apartment in Taipei designed by Chun-Tai Tsai and his team. The interior is created to be easily reverted once the lease is up. All surfaces, including the ductwork and electric cables exposed across the ceiling, are painted white to keep the space bright and clean.
The architects intentionally chose the white color to blur the profile of the space and make the interior as minimal as possible, celebrating the purity of the space. The front door opens into the living and dining room, featuring a large projector screen on the wall facing a grey sofa. A door in the large window at the end of the space leads to a small balcony surrounded by glass balustrades, offering an unobstructed view of the city.
The study and storage space are situated on one side of the corridor, while another bedroom and bathroom are positioned on the other. Simple freestanding shelving units are placed against the walls in the dining area and study, fitting perfectly under the ceiling beams.
“We kept all the flexibility of the interior and made the storage movable so it can be reused when the contract expires,” said the architects. White pendant lights in various shapes hang above the dining table, study desk, and bedside tables. Pastel tones used on tables, bedding, and cushions provide hints of color, while wooden dining chairs bring a touch of warmth to the otherwise stark interior.
The Tsai Residence covers an area of 115 sqm and was realized using RC plywood, white painting, and beech wood. The project started in April 2014 and was completed in July 2014 in Taipei City.
This design by Chun-Tai Tsai and his team received the Silver A' Design Award in 2015. The award recognizes top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. The Tsai Residence stood out for its strong technical characteristics, splendid artistic skill, and remarkable level of excellence, introducing positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.
Project Details and Credits
Project Designers: Chun-Tai Tsai
Image Credits: Kyle Yu
Project Team Members: Chun-Tai Tsai
Angela Hsu
Project Name: Tsai Residence
Project Client: Chun-Tai Tsai