House C is located in the West District in Taichung, in a 43-year-old apartment. This 65 m2 space is inhabited by a man, a dog, and their friends who sometimes show up.
© studio vwp
He is careful and considerate. From defects of the old apartment—oblique columns and beams, tilt floor slab, leaking windowsills, messy air conditioner outdoor unit—he gradually built order in the design, where the plywood layered like stair to diminish the margins, the cage for outdoor unit for future repair and shelving, the lighting design to maximize the space height by avoiding putting lights in the ceiling, and the window frames that are hidden in the thickened wall which can also be used to display objects.
© studio vwp
He is playful like a child. From deconstructing functions, he built simple yet interesting details——so many doorknobs were needed in this small space, hence on door slabs, he created holes that can be used for handling, wardrobe ventilation, wifi signal reception, and for an image with composition; with tiles that were left from previous construction sites, he used various sizes of square tiles, pairing with square socket panels.
© studio vwp
He is busy but doesn’t forget to enjoy himself sometimes——bathing with the view of the city, cooking with a hidden faucet in the kitchen, and pulling out the TV in the wardrobe to watch a movie, with the dog.
© studio vwp
“Space is full of orders yet allows casualness in life. Details are deliberate yet playful.” well describes House C, the old community it’s located in, and even the everyday life in Taiwan. Humble and content—the air conditioner outdoor unit doesn’t add any chaos to bother the city environment; the indoor functions are organized and collected in order.
Project Info
Architects: InOrder Studio
Country: Taiwan, Taichung
Area: 65 m²
Year: 2022
Photographs: studio vwp
Manufacturers Hitachi Air Conditioning, Danish Paper Cord, YKK AP Asia: Hitachi Air Conditioning
Lead Designer: ChingJu Chen
