Beyond the Metropolis: Strategies for Residential Projects in the Taiwanese Countryside

The island of Taiwan presents a varied natural and topographical context, characterized by a land area of 36,197 square kilometers and a high population density of 644 people per square kilometer. Its geological location, situated on the edges of the Eurasian and Philippine Sea plates, has resulted in a predominantly mountainous and rugged topography. While this forces the majority of the 23 million residents to inhabit large urban centers on the western coastal plains, the island maintains an active agricultural sector, with approximately 22% of its land allocated to farming.

The architectural tradition of the Alentejo is defined by simplicity of form, functional spaces, and a deep connection with climate and landscape. At the top of Monte Alvo, the house is single-story, positioned to make full use of solar orientation and ensure thermal comfort throughout the year.

A house with a large garden and, in the background, a small cabin. Our clients asked us to redesign the cabin and add a swimming pool – a summer area in the garden.

Xinghe campus, a high-quality campus project prioritized by the Longgang District Construction Bureau of Shenzhen, resolves spatial challenges of high-density sites through systematic design strategies. The project pioneers innovative spatial paradigms to transform fundamental teaching models, while achieving green and low-carbon campus goals through architectural innovation.