Movable Bookhouse

Residential House

Low birth rates are an inevitable issue in Taiwan, and parents want to spend more time with their children. The client hopes to create an appropriate environment for their only child in the new home to "engage with peers". They hope the new residence has sufficient and suitable space for activities with other kids and family members. In response to this, the Movable Bookhouse was created.

The Movable Bookhouse stands out with its sleek and human-oriented design. It removes fancy designs, bright colors, and excessive decorations, focusing instead on open spaces that can serve flexible and organic functions. Designed for both children and adults, the space aims to create a comfortable and inviting atmosphere where family members want to stay at home.

The design takes inspiration from bookstores and incorporates two wooden bookshelves. These bookshelves are surrounded by furniture and books, creating a symmetrical and stable environment within the open and organic public spaces. The order and flexibility in the space support creativity, mobility, and stability around books.

The Movable Bookhouse is a 220-square-meter space that provides ample room for the family of three to live comfortably. The layout prioritizes the sense of space and activity, ensuring that the child can run and play freely. Double sound insulation is implemented to avoid interruptions with neighbors and create a carefree environment for childhood without conflicts with neighboring families.

To optimize indoor spaces, the layout was modified to create a cloakroom close to the front door for convenience when leaving or returning home. Compartments were removed to expand the living room, allowing for more natural lighting from the higher levels of the building. Movable furniture and empty spaces replace traditional sofa placements against walls or lower cabinets, providing flexibility for various activities.

The design project for the Movable Bookhouse started in April 2018 and was completed in October 2018 in Zhubei City. Extensive research was conducted to create a comfortable and pressure-free environment that encourages people to stay longer. Concrete and marble textures, supported by wooden tones, offer a gray and white color palette. The design avoids defining spaces with childish colors, instead opting for a mix of mauve and gray tones in the bedrooms to ensure tranquility in the wooden spaces.

Despite the challenges faced during the design process, such as reducing corridors and storage compromises, the Movable Bookhouse successfully integrates fun spaces and creative solutions. A storage room was created at the end of the passageway to maintain storage needs without compromising the bookshelves. A blackboard was placed in the passageway to separate the space into different colors and increase interactions with the kitchen. The kitchen itself was opened up for a circular route to connect with the dining room, and extended cabinets for appliances enhance the functionality of the space.

The Movable Bookhouse, designed by Yi Sheng Chang, is a unique and innovative residential house that combines functionality, creativity, and comfort. It provides a space where both children and adults can thrive, fostering a sense of community and engagement. This design was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in 2020, recognizing its well-designed, practical, and innovative characteristics that meet professional and industrial requirements.