House Tour: A $225k Japandi Taiwan Multi-Generational Home Reno With Skylight Roof
Every family member gets their own space
By Melody Bay -
This multi-generational home in New Taipei, Taiwan underwent a major reconfiguration to accommodate the family’s daily activities and the need for natural light.
Designing a home to accommodate three generations of a family is no easy feat, especially when there are different living habits and preferences to take into account for each family member.
However, Sirui Interior Design in Taiwan managed to pull it off.
The project was headed by founders and chief designers Chen Pinyu and Chen Xinding, who worked together to design this 1,680 sq ft home in Tamsui, New Taipei City, for a large family.
Who Lives Here A family of three generations
Home A multi-generational home in Tamsui, New Taipei City
Size 1,680 sq ft
Interior Design Srain Interior Design
40 Year Old Building
Situated in a forty-year-old building, the home underwent an overhaul that included creating different entrances on both sides of the ground floor and putting in a skylight. The original layout had little to no space for storage, and the interior was dark due to a lack of natural sunlight.
Skylight Roof Admits Sunlight
To brighten the home, the design team installed a skylight that visually connects the spaces and allows natural light to enter from the roof, passing through the glass floors of the second and third levels to reach the kitchen.
The resulting well of light is like a sundial that tracks time throughout the day for the family.
Space For Daily Activities
Priority was also given to the spatial layout.
The ground floor, home to the grandparents, was kept unchanged as much as possible while the design team reworked the configuration of the second and third floors to accommodate the family’s daily activities and storage requirements.
Sliding Doors To Create Spaces
The third floor houses the living room and a bedroom for the family — which has three young children — to sleep together.
Children's Bedroom
Sliding doors separate each space and can be opened up if needed, giving the family flexibility to change up the room’s layout and divide spaces to accommodate the children’s need for independence as they grow.
Flexible Communal Space
The communal spaces were also designed for flexibility.
The family loves plants, and the skylight made for a natural indoor garden where plants could thrive in the sunlight.
The design team also incorporated sliding doors here, so the garden can be opened up and made part of the indoor space when needed.
Japandi Themed Home
The team chose a simple and uncluttered Japandi style for the overall design.
They used muted earthy tones for the palette, choosing furniture with natural elements — wood, leather, fabric — to create warmth.
“We wanted to let the natural shapes and textures come through,” says the team.
7 Months of Renovation, Cost $225,700
The renovation was completed in seven months at the cost of around TWD $5 million (approximately S$225,700), and the homeowners were able to move in at the end of 2021.