A Mountain Retreat in Taipei
In the mountains of Taipei, this villa by Horizontal Studio takes a Zen approach that fosters a profound appreciation of the surrounding nature. Designers Sean Lin and Saoyi Chien share more
Design Anthology: How did you first meet the client?
Saoyi Chien (SC): We were introduced by a friend and we first met the owner at the site, which is in a tranquil, mountainous area in Taipei. We were all deeply captivated by the mountain scenery and a shared vision emerged — to create a house that belongs to this picturesque mountain landscape.
Can you tell us about the client and their brief to you?
Sean Lin (SL): The family is a couple and their two sons. The husband and wife work together, they have a deep appreciation for sunlight and tranquillity, and they wanted their new house to reflect their love of natural landscapes.
They wanted the home to have an open living room and dining area, high ceilings and elevated walkways, with the exterior of the building made from roof tiles and glass. What we created in the end is a tranquil mountain retreat that harmonises with the sunlight and the natural environment.
What’s unique about the building and the location?
SL: This building is in a serene residential area on the mountain, surrounded by tranquil natural landscapes. The home is designed primarily for its scenery, so the outdoor views are visible at all times.
Please tell us a little about the material choices for the space.
SC: The wall tiles and cladding are inspired by the formations and stacking of natural stone. We used mineral paint on the walls and timber grilles in the bedroom for a warm ambience. Natural stone is also used for the interior flooring. The bathroom features simple lines complemented by dark grey tiles, all designed to highlight the exterior mountain and tree views. These materials provide a natural, tactile sensation while contrasting with the other textures in the home.
Do you have a favorite element or design detail in the architecture or interiors?
SC: On the mountain-facing side, there’s an inward recess with a large expanse of glass reaching up to the elevated ceiling, allowing sunlight to filter in while maintaining a sense of privacy and calm.
When the sun is out, natural light pours into the house, creating a relaxed, holiday-like feeling. But we actually prefer rainy days. When surrounded by fog, the distant mountain views become obscured and you can hear raindrops falling from the roof tiles.
SL: With the changing seasons, each window view from inside the house allows one to pause and appreciate the beauty of nature.
Images by Moooten Studio and Suiyu Studio
