House Flora

The living and gallery house "House Flora" is located in Taichung, Taiwan. The architecture works as a frame for different characters of art and living.
On the very narrow plot of land, a total gross floor area of ​​1,570m2 was accommodated, spread over four storeys. With a width of 9m and a total length of 30m, the building fits into the adjoining building next door. While its long sides are almost closed, the narrow sides open with generous glass surfaces to the street, to the back and to a stepped inner courtyard. This border directly to the entrance area with gallery and reception and separates the rear meeting room with tea kitchen from the front building.

As a center, the courtyard divides the elongated building and brings light to all areas of the house. From here you can also see the formative element of the gallery space: a staircase with wide terraced steps that leads to the upper floors and at the same time divides the space. Their ends protrude a little way over the glass facade into the courtyard. On the side, a water basin is arranged, over which the first floor protrudes and on whose underside the water is reflected. At the end of the stretched building is a waterfall, which gives the house a clear conclusion and neutralises the sounds of the city. The water flows along the concrete wall into a pool.

The main access to the building is via a side-mounted, very narrow single-flight staircase with an impressive depth effect. It is housed in a concrete core and extends over the entire building length over all four storeys. To make room for the necessary electrical installations, both sides are clad with white drywall walls. Other wall surfaces inside the building are plastered. In the gallery shelving systems for the exhibits are integrated, which resemble works of art in their shape.

On the first floor there is the living and working room, in the second four bedrooms and the bathrooms. Another living room with terrace is arranged on the top floor. The courtyard can be seen from every room. With the clever stratification of private and public spaces, the arrangement of the water surfaces, stairs and terraces, an exciting structure was created that seemed so simple at first sight.