Light House: A New Dawn for Taiwanese Terrace Style Housing

Shen Ting Tseng Architects Reimagines Traditional Taiwanese Housing with a Modern Twist

The Light House project is a unique take on the common Taiwanese terrace style houses, known as "Lian-dong" and "Tou-tian". The design seeks to rethink the fundamentals of this particular housing model, creating a contemporary housing model that encourages spatial encounters in connection with the natural environment. This is achieved through the introduction of "breathing pockets" between spaces and within each level, including courtyards, balconies, terraces, and light wells.

These elements are designed in relationship to internal staircases, rooms, and open spaces to generate a layered spatial relationship vertically and horizontally within each multi-leveled unit. The result is a residential building block that not only respects the traditional Taiwanese housing model but also brings it into the modern age with a focus on natural light, ventilation, and the creation of shared spaces.

The Light House is constructed using architectural concrete, silicone resin coating, granite, western red cedar, and stainless steel railings. The building covers a total floor area of 1809.36 m2, with a building area of 412.8m2 on a site area of 688.7m2. The project was led by Shen Ting-Tseng, with Huang Hsin-Yi and Lin YUAN-ZIH as designers, and developed by Yomu Development Corp.

The design of the Light House was inspired by the desire to bring natural light and wind into the interior of the home. This is achieved through layers of square openings and windows on the southern elevation, transforming the internal spaces with varying lighting conditions throughout the day. The result is a home where "inside is as outside, outside is as inside", creating a living environment that is both comfortable and in harmony with nature.

The Light House project started in May 2014 and was completed in December 2016. It was awarded Silver in A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award in 2017, a testament to the innovative and creative design of Shen Ting Tseng Architects. The project was a challenge to break away from old thinking and propose a new version of a contemporary housing model for Taiwan, a challenge that has been successfully met with the Light House.

In conclusion, the Light House by Shen Ting Tseng Architects is a shining example of how traditional housing models can be reimagined and revitalized with modern design elements. By focusing on natural light, ventilation, and the creation of shared spaces, the Light House offers a fresh and innovative approach to residential design in Taiwan.