Nature Base: A Unique Residential House Design

Bringing Nature Indoors with Open Circulation Lines and Abundant Sunlight

Located in the Beitou District of Taipei, Taiwan, Nature Base stands out for its innovative approach to incorporating the natural environment into the interior. The design team carefully considered the humid surroundings and selected materials that would withstand these conditions.

The highlight of Nature Base is the openness of the living room and dining room, which allows abundant sunlight and greenery to flow into the space through a series of large windows. This brings the natural features of the outdoor environment into the interior, creating a daily scene of life that resembles Chinese ink landscape paintings.

The entire space is crafted using diatomaceous earth, chiseled stones, wire-brushed paulownia wood, and carbonized smoked oak. These materials create a lightweight body imagery, with textures that evoke a sense of nature. The carbonized smoked oak flooring, in particular, not only adds a progressive spatial level but also corresponds to the climatic conditions of the environment.

With an indoor area of approximately 185 square feet, Nature Base offers a well-designed layout that caters to the homeowners' habits and preferences. The space is divided into one large room, two studies, one living room, and one dining kitchen. The design team paid special attention to the order and proportions of these spaces, ensuring a harmonious interaction between materials and light sources.

The open circulation lines in Nature Base blur the boundaries between different areas, functions, and circulation paths. This design choice enhances communication and interaction, effectively connecting the living room, dining room, and the extensive outdoor landscape. The result is a balanced relationship between humans, nature, and environmental development.

The project started in October 2017 and was completed in February 2018 in Taipei City. Throughout the design process, the team conducted extensive research to understand the homeowners' preferences and interests. This led to the segmentation of the space into specific areas for the male and female homeowners, as well as a dedicated storage and display area for their respective collections.

Nature Base overcame several creative and technical challenges. The terrace area, for example, features a lowered floor level with carbonized wood flooring and garden landscaping, creating a playful and enjoyable space. The dining room showcases a creative visual effect with a main wall crafted from wire-brushed paulownia wood, symbolizing the intimate relationship between the environment and the house.

Nature Base, designed by Chin-Shu Chen and his team, has received recognition for its outstanding design. It was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category in 2019. This award celebrates designs that demonstrate creativity, resourcefulness, and a commitment to improving the quality of life.

With Nature Base, the design team has successfully brought the concept of humanity into the residence, creating a unique and harmonious living space that seamlessly blends with the natural surroundings.