Revolutionizing Traditional Taiwanese Street Houses: Living in a Green Forest

Tsung Hsien Wu's Award-Winning Design Offers Sustainable, Modern Living Spaces

Wu's design inspiration came from the changing needs of people choosing to live in street houses. Recognizing that these individuals were seeking something different, Wu decided to reassess the traditional street house design and create a new model that would cater to modern living requirements. The result is a sustainable, non-toxic, and non-pressure living space that challenges traditional architectural norms.

One of the unique properties of this design is the unconventional layout of the kitchen, which is situated beside the front door rather than at the back of the house. This design encourages family gatherings as all doors open towards the raised ceiling. Additionally, the lavatory and staircase are strategically placed on the east and west sides of the building to keep the space dry and cool, reducing the need for air conditioning. The windows face the park, while the doors open towards an open cut, allowing fresh air to circulate within the house.

The house, which spans four floors and covers about 260 square meters, is designed to be multifunctional. The ground floor can be used as an office, and in addition to the master bedroom, there are three children's suites, a fitness area, and an auditorium. The design also includes space for a future elevator.

The 'Living in a Green Forest' project was realized using sustainable design principles. Passive design was employed when placing the lavatory and staircase, and all the windows of the rooms face the outside park, while the doors face the open cut, connecting the park and open cut of the living area and allowing fresh air to enter the house. This results in a non-toxic and non-pressure living space.

Despite facing challenges such as lighting and ventilation due to the narrow base of the building and its proximity to the boundary line, Wu successfully overcame these obstacles to create a design that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and sustainable. This innovative design earned Wu the Silver A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2017, a testament to his remarkable expertise and innovation.