Shao-Fong Wang's Taisi: A Fusion of Cultures in Residential Design

Blending Ancient Chinese, Japanese, and Contemporary Taiwanese Styles in a Personal Residence

The inspiration for Taisi comes from the Taoyuan Martyrs' Shrine, a structure that combines the ancient Chinese Tang dynasty, Japanese style, and contemporary Taiwanese style. The shrine, situated on Hutou Mountain in Taoyuan City, was completed in 1938 and was formerly known as the "Taoyuan Shinto Shrine" during the Japanese colonial era. Its solemn and stately character influenced the design of Taisi.

Taisi is a private residence located in downtown Taoyuan, designed for an entrepreneurial couple. The design employs log material, special cement, and bricks from Toki, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, creating a vintage and tranquil environment that reflects the couple's noble entrepreneurial ambition. The space is not only a residence but also serves as a meeting place for business and social gatherings.

The design realization technology of Taisi includes the use of rain tree, Taiwan Cypress, lotos plaster, bricks from Toki City, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, and Tatami. The space is 83 square meters with a height of 2.6m. The design interaction allows the space to serve as a meeting place for business and a partying place for friends and family.

The project started in October 2018 and was completed in April 2019. The design research focused on creating an open traffic flow and combining various materials to uncover the texture of wood grain and wall through the light and shadow of the window, providing space brightness and roominess. The design challenges included creating a functional kitchen that can be both opened and closed and dealing with the height of the house, which presented several conflict zones.

Taisi was awarded Silver in A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2020. The award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. These designs, admired for their strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.

In conclusion, Shao-Fong Wang's Taisi is a testament to the fusion of different cultural styles and the innovative use of materials in creating a unique personal residence. It serves as an example of how design can transform a space into a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment.