Facade Renovation on Chongyang Road, Sanchong District

This project explores building renovation as an act of urban care rather than a purely technical exercise. Designed by John (Ming Han) Yeh, architect at JYA Architects & Partners, the intervention demonstrates how structurally sound yet ageing residential buildings can be renewed without resorting to demolition.
Located on Chongyang Road in Sanchong District, New Taipei City, the nearly 50-year-old apartment building occupies a prominent triangular site along a major traffic artery. Implemented under New Taipei City’s Building Renovation Subsidy Programme and approved by the Urban Renewal Office, the project combines interior maintenance with a comprehensive façade renewal. A dry-construction system using stone-pattern aluminium panels was adopted, with careful modulation of tone and façade segmentation to revitalise the building’s urban presence while minimising disruption to residents. Beyond its physical transformation, the project addresses key issues of safety, waterproofing, fire protection, and accessibility. These targeted upgrades extend the building’s life cycle and improve everyday liveability, enabling residents to remain in their homes while preserving neighbourhood continuity. Most importantly, the project recognises trust as a critical design challenge. Through transparency, patience, and sustained dialogue, consensus was built among multiple owners, reinforcing renovation as a socially responsible and sustainable approach to urban renewal. The project offers a replicable model for cities confronting ageing housing stock and complex ownership conditions worldwide.