Balance Within Quadrants

In Yunlin’s dense urban fabric, a three-generation family sought a home within a pre-owned townhouse shaped by a diagonal stair set across the plan. This fixed geometry imposed an unintended hierarchy on the ground floor and dissolved any sense of orientation. The challenge centered on reorganizing inherited conditions rather than expanding them, so the project began by examining how daily routines, privacy gradients, and circulation could align with a structure that resisted symmetry.

A clear framework emerged through the use of a three-by-three grid. This geometric structure allowed activities to be distributed with intent. Shared functions occupy the central and frontal fields, while private routines move toward quieter zones along the perimeter. The diagonal stair sits at the center of this system, absorbed into an ordered sequence that converts disruption into spatial rhythm. Air and light also use this vertical core, producing passive ventilation and a consistent atmosphere throughout the day.

Family life gains definition through proportion and distance. Routes for elderly members remain short and direct. Gathering areas have clear visual boundaries that prevent unwanted exposure. Younger generations benefit from rooms that offer flexibility through sliding partitions and integrated lighting layouts. Each decision aligns behavior with spatial logic, and each boundary reinforces a sense of calm.

Rather than overwrite the building’s history, the design reinterprets it. Constraint becomes a point of focus, and existing structure becomes the basis for clarity. The resulting home supports routine, adapts to change, and remains grounded in measured geometry. Its character grows from restraint, from deliberate framing, and from a willingness to let spatial order guide daily life.