Between: A Unique Residential House Design

Embracing Taoist Philosophy and Nature

The residential house design, named Between, created by Ding-Rui Tai and Yun-Hsiang Tsao, stands out with its unique approach to embracing Taoist philosophy and nature. The designers aim to create a space that allows people to reconnect with their inner peace and senses through the elements of light, shadow, air, and time.

One of the special features of this project is the living space designed for the owner's mother. The balcony provides a serene and comfortable environment where one can enjoy a cup of hot tea while feeling the gentle breeze and sunlight on their face. The swaying bamboo leaves add to the natural charm of the space, creating a daily retreat from the busyness of life.

The design team focused on preserving the original look of the space as much as possible, including the grey cement floor slabs, original pipelines, and a small pond. They utilized wood, glass, and raw hardware to create simple lines and maintain a sense of openness for light, shadow, and nature to flow through the space. The result is an apartment that truly reflects the owner's unique personality and preferences, where simplicity becomes the perfect decoration.

The Between residential house spans an indoor area of 168 sqm, with an additional balcony area of 227 sqm. The project started in April 2018 in Taiwan and was completed in August 2018. Throughout the design process, the team faced the challenge of incorporating the concept of "doing nothing" into the design, which may seem simple on the surface but required careful consideration of what to add, remove, maintain, and create. The large balcony serves as an extension of the interior space, introducing sunlight and creating a natural atmosphere through carefully chosen plantings.

The design of Between encourages simple interactions between people and nature, with an open kitchen that serves not only as a cooking space but also as a relaxing corner for family members to gather. The overall living space exudes warmth and comfort, providing a sanctuary for the residents.

The Between residential house design by Ding-Rui Tai and Yun-Hsiang Tsao was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category in 2019. This prestigious award recognizes designs that showcase creativity, resourcefulness, and a commitment to improving quality of life through the integration of art, science, design, and technology.