In recent years we have become more familiar with the work of 2BOOKS DESIGN with growing admiration. The Taiwan-based studio are behind the minimal multi-storey residence that is Pan House. This project was constructed in an old community in Hsinchu with few residents. Its architectural style belongs to that of the traditional terrace house (tou tian cuo), which shares the same exterior construction and interior layout with the buildings in the neighbourhood. Lead architect, Jeff Weng explains:

According to the local residents, due to home burglaries that had been experienced, installing iron gratings outside balconies and windows became a norm. In light of this norm, we developed an interesting starting point in design, and we were hoping to respond to this typical relationship through the concept of (building) skin.

In the context of architecture, the skin is a part of a building that is constructed along with the building instead of being added on later in order to meet demands or address a lack of functions. The difference between building a skin and putting on iron gratings is that building a skin with the function of resisting invading forces does not give off a feeling of confinement or indifference; it presents a bright and refreshing sense of lightness and transparency.

The interior design places the stairs and bathroom on the same side to constitute a service core. The square-shaped staircase produces a small patio on one side of the room, with the stairwell circling inside and light filtering through the areas; the twining of the moving line and light ray creates a Z-axis space that is highly dynamic in the vertical direction. The design of the staircase handrails adopts the material of the building skin used in the exterior facades, and the light and transparent metal mesh makes it easier for light to penetrate. Two patios are on the other side of the stairs where the design looks to resolve the problem wherein the traditional terrace houses (tou tian cuo) were only able to receive natural light from the front.

For the purpose of allowing more natural light to enter the room and sculpting the spatial texture, 2BOOKS DESIGN tried to keep the interior layout as simple as possible. A large number of white background walls are used to reflect light, and light grey and white furniture was employed with the intention of reducing the interference of colour on the light. It is this invitation and manipulation of natural light that makes this project a real success and a beautiful space to experience.