Ming Fa Chen · CLIENT: Luo Jiao Design
Pure Serenity is a residential interior design for a 42 year old split level house in Taichung, Taiwan. Voids are inserted between the levels to create visual continuity and to support interaction among family members. Circular window openings and moon gates refer to Suzhou garden architecture and frame views of nature. A circular patio brings daylight and fresh air into the interior. A book wall links the staircase to a mezzanine playroom. The original steel windows and roof are preserved, and concrete textured paint, terrazzo and reclaimed tiles are used.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This 42 year old residence features a complex split level layout, with three floors at the front and four at the back. The design breaks traditional isolation by inserting voids that visually connect levels, creating a transparent vertical space that enhances family interaction and emotional bonds. It fuses traditional and modern design, integrating local culture and Chinese garden elements into a richly layered and immersive spatial experience.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- This three-story home features a complex split level layout with front and rear height difference. The site area is approximately 165 square meters, and the total interior floor area is about 330 square meters. Key design includes a circular patio, mezzanine playroom, and study room. Furniture and storage are integrated, with customized cabinetry, a quartz kitchen countertop, and non-toxic finishes applied throughout.
- Tags
- Residential Design, Split Level House, Taiwanese Retro, Circular Patio, Pop Art Inspiration, Family Interaction, Vertical Openness, Zen Aesthetics, Reclaimed Materials
- Production Technology
- The project preserves original steel windows and roof to reduce construction waste. Custom elements such as the slide, mezzanine, and stair handrails use untreated wood and plywood to avoid overprocessing and chemical finishes. Concrete-textured paint, terrazzo, and reclaimed vintage tiles were used for tactile layering and to retain memory of the past while minimizing environmental impact.
- Design Challenge
- The biggest challenge was turning the split-level layout’s limitations into assets. Maintaining structural integrity while creating vertical openness required careful coordination. Balancing traditional aesthetics with modern family use and incorporating nostalgic materials without overdecorating demanded both technical precision and cultural sensitivity.
- Project Duration
- The project began in July 2022 in Taichung, Taiwan, and was completed in April 2023. Design development, construction coordination, and supervision at the construction site were carried out by LUO JIAO DESIGN throughout the process.
- Operation Flow
- The open plan design and transparent staircase enhance interaction between floors. A book wall connects to the playroom, turning the stairway into a reading zone. The patio brings light and air, creating a shifting natural scene. Spaces like the study and rooftop play area support modern family needs, offering zones for privacy, work, play, and togetherness.
- Research
- This project used qualitative design research to explore family interaction in vertical homes. Objectives focused on spatial fluidity and emotional connectivity. Through site analysis, user interviews, and observational studies, the team identified key needs for openness and privacy. The resulting design improves light, interaction, and functions designed with children in mind, impacting daily life and enhancing domestic health and happiness.
- Inspiration
- The design returns to nature while paying tribute to Wang Da Hong and Tadao Ando. Circular elements: window holes and moon gates inspired by Suzhou gardens, frame natural views and echo the Zen of sunrise and sunset. Materials such as concrete textured paint and discontinued terrazzo tiles evoke local memory. Pop art from the 1960s inspires geometric forms in the dining space, blending retro Taiwanese textures with bold visual contrasts.
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