We discovered the DH House project through a long-term client who wished to build a unique retirement home within a reasonable budget for himself and his wife, who is a BIM learner. This project incorporates a series of cost-effective design strategies to achieve its current form.
Located in central Taiwan, the residence sits atop a mountain ridge nestled between valleys. The land’s steep and complex terrain posed significant constraints, limiting any major site modifications. As a result, the design prioritizes maximizing the stunning valley views, ensuring the residents’ privacy, and orienting the building to adapt to Taiwan’s humid climate.
The construction approach was influenced by two main challenges. First, the local workforce’s traditional building methods required us to simplify the design to facilitate smooth construction. Second, due to logistical limitations in transporting large construction equipment to the site, we chose a flexible and lightweight steel structure as the optimal building method.
The building measures 5 meters by 16 meters and is oriented along a north-south axis. It is elevated above the terrain, creating an open outdoor space underneath that serves as a parking area. Featuring a double-sloped roof without a drainage system, the exterior has a sturdy surface designed to withstand typhoon conditions.
On the north side, the sloping roof extends outward by 80 cm, providing shade to the master bedroom and bathroom’s large windows. This thoughtful design allows residents to enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape while maintaining privacy.
The southern side of the house features public spaces with full views of the second valley and existing roadways. Both the exterior facade and roof utilize the same vertical edge interlocking system, with the only variation being a rougher metal finish on the inner eaves.
Interior Views:
Design Drawings:
▲ Underground Floor Plan
▲ First Floor Plan
▲ Elevation View
▲ Elevation View
▲ Elevation View
▲ Elevation View
▲ 3D Structural Diagram
Project Information:
Architectural Firm: UZ Architecture
Location: Taiwan
Category: Independent Residential Building
Lead Architect: Urdaneta Zeberio
Building Area: 101.0 m²
Year Completed: 2018
Photographer: Addison Ow
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