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In Taiwan's architectural culture, the cultural background and historical value of existing old buildings is often underestimated. unprofessional.studio challenges the prevailing notion that demolishing old structures and rebuilding new ones is the safer and more reliable option. The architectural team took on this perspective by transforming a project located on a narrow street in Taipei City on Bade Road, through renovation, creating more interaction with the existing urban fabric of the city. Based on this premise, the architects integrated contemporary design concepts to convert this two-story row house into two independent residential units. This approach not only provides flexibility for families to adjust based on changes in the number of occupants, but it also significantly reduces the large amounts of waste generated from demolishing old buildings.
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This type of two-story row house was a common architectural style in Taiwan during the 1960s. These areas were once considered on the outskirts of the city, due to underdeveloped infrastructure and transportation networks. However, with economic growth, urban development, and industrial upgrades, these traditional structures have undergone multiple renovations and expansions, and in some cases, have been replaced by high-rise buildings, transforming them into prime locations. Today, the vibrant, high-density urban landscape presents a stark contrast to the original settings, painting Taipei with a unique and diverse urban identity.
➤ After
➤ Before
In the layout designed by unprofessional.studio, it is evident that geometrically shaped partition walls were skillfully used to redefine the functional areas of the two floors. The ground floor utilizes two triangular walls to different spaces, while the second floor is structured with two semicircular elements, delineating private spaces such as bedrooms and bathrooms. The remaining open areas connect the daily living, dining, and cooking functions, creating an open layout that allows air to flow freely from the front courtyard through the house to the backyard, reducing reliance on air conditioning. Additionally, large glazed windows at both ends of each floor bring natural light indoors, enabling residents to experience changing weather, light, and temperature conditions from within the comfort of their homes.
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The architectural team highlighted the harmonious fusion between the existing structure and the new elements, using the original rectangular structure and geometric curves to reflect different scales and the passage of time. The choice of materials follows a similar approach, with a focus on practicality and economy. For instance, prefabricated hollow concrete blocks were used for the triangular walls on the ground floor, while lightweight curved plywood was chosen for the semicircular partitions used on the second floor. unprofessional.studio applied a lime-cement slurry to the interior masonry to maintain consistent color palette, allowing the collage of bricks and other materials to remain visible. In this project, the team not only respected the original structure but also engaged in a dialogue between the old and the new, presenting a narrative about urban transformation, marking a visual identity for this era in Taipei.
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