Vivian Chiu and Ke Ye Wu · CLIENT: Pure Interior Design Limited Company
This project revitalizes a five-decade residence through structural reinforcement and adaptive reuse. Original red bricks and exposed concrete are preserved and enhanced with a custom steel system improving durability and spatial fluidity. Breathable materials address climate challenges while movable elements introduce flexibility. The design balances memory and function, transforming the house into a timeless living space that grows with its owners.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This design redefines regeneration by integrating structural reinforcement as an aesthetic language. The exposed steel system strengthens the old framework while becoming a visual anchor. Flexible layouts, adaptive furniture, and breathable material treatments create a living space that evolves with time, balancing durability function and understated industrial beauty rarely seen in typical residential projects.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- This project is a renovation of a house over 60 years old. The building consists of two floors and a basement, with each floor measuring 105 square meters. The first floor is designed as an open plan living and dining area, along with a kitchen and a bathroom. The second floor includes a bedroom, a bathroom, and a shared living and working zone.
- Tags
- Adaptive Reuse, Structural Reinforcement, Industrial Aesthetics, Sustainable Renovation, Memory Architecture, Flexible Living Space, Material Authenticity
- Production Technology
- The design was realized through a subtractive approach prioritizing preservation and structural enhancement. Original red bricks were treated with breathable coatings to retain texture while reducing dust. Exposed steel elements were custom fabricated for reinforcement and visual continuity. Lightweight steel frames reduced load on aging structures while allowing spatial openness. The process combined material honesty adaptive reuse and detailed onsite craftsmanship.
- Design Challenge
- The hardest part was preserving the emotional value while ensuring structural safety. Every decision required sensitivity as the house carried decades of family memories. Severe deterioration from humidity posed risks demanding precise reinforcement. The lack of original construction records and adapting modern techniques to unstable foundations pushed the team to constant onsite testing and creative problem-solving.
- Project Duration
- This project is located in Taoyuan, Taiwan. Design began in December 2023 and was completed in December 2024.
- Operation Flow
- Sunlight filters through large openings casting shadows across textured brick walls, while the subtle scent of aged materials lingers in the air. The open layout invites seamless movement between living and working spaces where footsteps echo gently against the concrete floor. Sliding barn doors open with a soft scrape, revealing hidden corners while steel and wood surfaces offer a tactile connection to the past, grounding every moment in quiet familiarity.
- Research
- The research focused on material behavior and structural adaptation in aging buildings. The aim was to investigate how original elements could be kept while improving durability. Site surveys, structural assessments and material tests conducted, collaborating with engineers, builders and local craftsmen provided data. Results showed that exposed steel systems and breathable coatings balance aesthetics and function offering a replicable model for sustainable renovation.
- Inspiration
- The inspiration came from the house itself, a place that quietly carried over fifty years of family memories. The design was driven by the desire to preserve its unique character and let the traces of time become part of routine, allowing every brick and exposed surface to speak of time and life. By embracing the beauty of raw materials, the project transforms the space into a living story where past and present flow seamlessly together.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: MD Pursuit
Image #2: MD Pursuit
Image #3: MD Pursuit
Image #4: MD Pursuit
Image #5: MD Pursuit - Patents
- Pure Interior Design Limited Company
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