08-15

Tranquility Above the City:
Taipei P. C. Residence
Residential Space, Taipei

Original structure before renovation - Sep. 2013
12
Taipei P. C. Residence

The house was built in the 60s by famed Taiwanese
architect Wang Da-Hong, a pioneering figure who
sought to combine East and West with “Chinese
Modernism.” The red roof tiles, low overhang, and
linear layout belie a style that blended Western
minimalism, Chinese elements, and Hokkien vernacular
of the Japanese occupation era. In its refurbishment,
KYDO’s design principal Keng-yu Liao retained the
overall structure and sought to renew it with as little
intervention as possible. The structure has been
strengthened and the external tiles renewed, while
multiple skylights have been added to improve
interior illumination.
Perched 400 meters above sea level in Northern Taiwan,
the Chen Residence is nestled against the gradual slope of
a mountain, with panoramic views of the Taipei Basin and
its river systems. From this vantage point, you see: on the
East, rolling hills of the adjacent mountain range; and on
the West, glittering lights of the city.
Taipei P. C. Residence
The house opens itself towards expansive nature, with a
view that encompasses both mountain and river. The
climate is both cooler and wetter at this height, and the site
is verdant and bucolic. Like a subdued gem hidden in the
forest, the residence is tranquil, private, yet full of life.
14