Reviving Memories

Located in the historic Dongmen district of Hsinchu, this residence embodies both family heritage and urban renewal. Once a dim and constrained old house, it carried the weight of decades of memories but also the limitations of an aging structure. The renovation concept—“Reviving the Old House”—sought to preserve this emotional continuity while transforming the residence into a comfortable and modern home.

One of the most critical interventions was the staircase. Once overly steep and difficult to climb, it was reconfigured into a safer and gentler gradient, simultaneously improving circulation and blocking kitchen fumes. On the rooftop, a new glass pavilion was introduced, creating a luminous space for reflection by day and a serene observatory by night. Throughout the house, dead corners were converted into useful niches for storage and display, turning inefficiency into visual and functional highlights.

The design language blends modern refinement with subtle rustic warmth. In the living room, asymmetrical stone textures were applied to the feature wall, breaking away from uniformity and creating depth that changes with the play of light. Grey stone surfaces and wooden flooring establish composure in communal areas, while arched doorways, creamy tones, and soft lighting bring intimacy to private rooms. Outdoor terraces, furnished in white and enriched with greenery, extend daily life outward, creating spaces for leisure, gatherings, and star-gazing. Titanium trims were used as subtle connectors, unifying diverse stylistic elements into a cohesive whole.

The transformation extends beyond aesthetics. Daylight now permeates previously dim rooms, circulation flows seamlessly across floors, and each family member has a space that reflects individual rhythms while remaining connected to communal living. This renovation demonstrates how sensitive design can harmonize memory and modernity, breathing new life into an old residence while enriching the cultural fabric of the city.