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A House With A View
“Tranquility is the spatial experience most needed in modern life, while fluidity is its finest interpretation.” Perhaps this old house, nestled in the countryside, is the perfect testament to this idea. Stepping into the expansive garden, vibrant trees and greenery stand quietly alongside the old structure at its center, a building whose aged framework exudes a modern façade, evoking both familiarity and a touch of wonder. Under the design philosophy of Soar Design Studio architect Yu-Jui Chang, which honors natural traces while embracing experimental innovation, this traditional granary has been revitalized, creating a relaxed rhythm that bridges a renewed present and future while continuing to celebrate local cultural charm.
As Architect Chang aptly put it, no one truly dislikes being close to nature. This couple from Taipei deeply yearned for Yilan’s idyllic countryside scenery, planning to establish a bed-and-breakfast here while also creating a personal living space, to fully immerse themselves in the serene atmosphere far removed from urban life during their retirement. After much searching, the rustic charm of this traditional granary, surrounded by trees and lawns, revealed the possibility of fulfilling their vision. Trusting in Soar Design Studio’s expertise, the clients granted ample creative freedom, allowing the design team to freely explore the old house for inspiration. They discovered that, despite its openness, the elongated storage building lacked a sense of defined space. To preserve the granary’s original character, they opted to define spaces subtly using furniture without rigid demarcations.
Within the rectangular layout, semi-circular brick-built seating is arranged throughout the communal area, allowing both sightlines and sensory perception to flow endlessly along its gentle curves. As you sit within the 110 cm low walls, enjoying heartfelt conversations with others, you can also feel the movements around you and gaze through the vertical windows at the outdoor scenery. The couple, avid readers and collectors of art, hoped that guests could relax on an outward-extending daybed or discover a story waiting to be told from the hollowed-out bookshelf. Beneath the high-ceilinged wooden truss structure, interactions between people strike a perfect balance—sometimes savoring moments of solitude, and other times gathering around the dining table, sharing thoughts over the aroma of the hostess’s freshly brewed coffee.
The originally simple horizontal layout was enhanced by incorporating the passageway concept common in Eastern architecture to transition into private spaces. Study areas and multifunctional daybeds were placed in front of the bedrooms on either side, imbuing the space with layered flow and a sense of order. In facilitating a dialogue between humans and nature, Soar Design Studio not only uses the placement of objects and openings to bring the scenery indoors, but also relies on a deep understanding of the local environment and the granary’s existing elements. The traditional red bricks evoke memories of the past, while materials like colored concrete and terrazzo reflect the local lifestyle. The matte galvanized steel panels near the entrance extend the greenery of the garden, imbuing the space with an ineffable poetry, blending contemporary materials with the old. This pursuit of balance between the poetry of nature and the experimental nature of design stands as a defining element.
