Courtyard House

A Contemporary Chinese Courtyard House Designed by Tze-Chun Wei

The Courtyard House stands out for its innovative layout that caters to the needs of a 3-generation family. The individual living units and shared family spaces are connected by a looped corridor, allowing for privacy and togetherness. Small light wells separate the different areas, providing natural light and ventilation.

The design of the Courtyard House incorporates advanced construction technologies. Nozawa's ASLOC Extrude Concrete panels, Alcopla's Composite Panels, and Panasonic's Steel Access Floor System were used to bring the project to life. These materials and systems ensure durability, efficiency, and ease of maintenance.

With a gross built area of 1132m2, the Courtyard House offers ample space for the entire family. The project was completed in Taiwan, with construction starting in 2011 and finishing in 2014.

Tze-Chun Wei led a team of talented individuals, including Zhi-Rui Haung, Chi-Fung Yeh, Zhe-Xun Yang, and Chun-Li Wang, in bringing the Courtyard House to fruition. Their expertise and dedication contributed to the success of the project.

The Courtyard House addresses the unique living needs of a 3-generation family, considering different personal habits and privacy requirements. The design provides a harmonious balance between individual and shared spaces, fostering family interaction and togetherness.

The project faced several challenges, particularly due to its location on top of an existing factory. The team had to carefully consider the extended structure and services. To overcome these challenges, prefabricated panels and raised access floors were used, reducing construction time and facilitating service maintenance.

The Courtyard House, designed by Tze-Chun Wei, is a testament to innovative design and thoughtful consideration of multi-generational living. It offers a contemporary interpretation of the traditional Chinese courtyard house, creating a harmonious and functional living environment for the entire family.

Image Credits: Tze-Chun Wei

Awards and Accolades: The Courtyard House was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Architecture, Building, and Structure Design category in 2017. This prestigious award recognizes designs that showcase creativity, resourcefulness, and technical skills, contributing to improvements in quality of life.