Meng-Ling Chiu · CLIENT: Greatwall Design
Great Wall is a design club interior created inside a forty-year-old house in Taiwan. The three-story building and its rooftop cover 188.4 square meters and combine work and living spaces. Original terrazzo flooring and vintage window gratings are preserved, and solid wood lintels are reused as baseboards and door frames. A skylight set with old gratings casts patterned sunlight into the interior. The staircase is finished with ink-wash patterns. A bright orange door contrasts with white walls within an older neighborhood.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Innovative skylight design enhances the first-floor washroom, embedding vintage window gratings into the skylight for a charming sunlight effect. To brighten indoor spaces, a 'skylight-like' ceiling uses lighting to mimic natural light, blending vintage charm with creativity. The ink-wash staircase transforms a plain stairwell into an artistic masterpiece, with cascading inky hues extending to display windows and tiles. A bold orange door contrasts with white walls, adding energy and modernity, making the building stand out in its historic setting.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The site spans three floors plus a rooftop, totaling 188.4 square meters, with three rooms, a living room, a dining room, and a reception room. Designed for a homely feel, the first floor houses the living room, dining room, and kitchen. The second floor offers flexibility, serving as a club or master bedroom. The third floor includes two bedrooms and a bathroom, while the rooftop serves as a reception area with a rain-canopied terrace. Each floor is carefully arranged to maximize space, seamlessly blending work and living for a comfortable, multi-functional environment.
- Tags
- Old House, Eco-friendly Building Materials, Ink Painting, Vintage Elements, Vintage and Innovation, Sustainable Concepts, Artistic Atmosphere.
- Production Technology
- The design integrates large tiles, iron parts, and wooden grilles while repurposing original materials like solid wood lintels for baseboards and door frames, adding nostalgia and cultural depth. The first floor's special white coating enhances brightness, while ink-wash patterns on the staircase create a striking visual journey. The upper floors feature warm wood tones and terrazzo flooring. Vintage and modern elements blend seamlessly, with accent colors like mint green and warm beige gold infusing freshness and vibrancy into the space.
- Design Challenge
- The biggest challenges came from structural issues and the narrow alleyway. Rusted rebar required reinforcement, and limited space prevented large machinery, making manual labor essential. Precise teamwork ensured smooth execution. Disorganized wiring needed a complete overhaul, while the aging structure required further strengthening. Skylight leakage also demanded urgent fixes. Despite these hurdles, the challenges fueled creativity, leading to innovative solutions. Overcoming obstacles became a key highlight, pushing the design to new levels of ingenuity.
- Project Duration
- The project finished in August 2023 in Taiwan.
- Operation Flow
- The renovated space has received highly positive feedback. Employees feel a warm, home-like atmosphere that boosts inspiration, while clients are impressed by the spacious and comfortable setting. Preserved elements like original flooring and windows resonate deeply, with many admiring the designers' creativity in revitalizing old materials. Some, especially older visitors, were even moved to tears by the thoughtful restoration. The fusion of old and new evokes nostalgia while inspiring future living concepts, bridging generations, and fostering meaningful connections.
- Research
- A 40-year-old house has been meticulously renovated, blending classic elements like terrazzo flooring and vintage window grilles with a Japanese-style design. The bold contrast of pure white and bright orange paint makes it stand out in its aging neighborhood. Each floor is thoughtfully planned for both work and living. Key features include a skylight using vintage grilles to mimic natural light and an ink-wash-inspired staircase as a striking focal point. Repurposed wood enhances cultural depth, seamlessly balancing innovation and tradition to create a functional yet artistic masterpiece.
- Inspiration
- The site is an old building, repurposed as the designers' brand club. The inspiration stems from the designers' desire to preserve the charm of traditional culture and the surrounding environment. From the outset, the design aimed to retain original elements such as the terrazzo flooring and the vintage window gratings, while incorporating the concept of a Japanese-style heritage house. The three-story building maintains its cultural value through meticulous attention to detail while offering modern functionality, creating a sense of belonging and warmth for every visitor.
- Image Credits
- GREATWALL DESIGN
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