XIAO ZHAI office

Tainan, a city steeped in creative spirit where heritage houses abound and culture runs deep. This project occupies a narrow, six‐meter–tall lot just three meters wide—constraints that became its greatest source of inspiration. Embracing the themes of “Refined Vistas” and “Japanese‐Style Bohemian,” the designers have artfully extended the sense of space within this slim frontage. By leveraging the lofty ceiling to draw in natural light and promote cross‐ventilation, they’ve transformed this street‐corner site into a gentle, verdant accent within the city’s contour.

The entry sequence unfolds in two graceful turns. First, outdoors: a 90° angle inward turn into a recessed foyer reinterprets the façade’s organization. By setting the door back into the corner, the once-cramped three-meter-wide frontage is transformed into a rhythmically staggered, multi-layered composition, while the oppressive bulk of the original column is neutralized. The street-facing surfaces—green beryl-veined stone and suede-textured paint—are allowed to read clearly, with the logo centered for prominence. A floor-to-ceiling glazed side window further enhances transparency, allowing passers-by to animate the view from within and fostering a dynamic interplay between inside and out.

The second pivot occurs just inside the door. The reception area and the framed view beyond engage in a visual dialogue, encouraging visitors to pause with intention. The first three risers of the stairs are clad in wood-grain panels and terrazzo, their curve mirrored by a hidden light strip and a sculpted railing that echoes the façade’s style. The second-floor meeting room is deliberately set back to preserve the full height of the volume, allowing the building’s original daylighting to penetrate unobstructed from top to bottom.