YL Apartment / Dharma Den

This 90m² apartment, nestled at the edge of Taipei where city and nature converge, faces a lush hill covered with trees and bamboo.  A couple and their dog live here, along with a lively statue of Dharma that adds a unique charm to the space. 

The couple cherish both indoor leisure and outdoor adventure.  They immerse themselves in floral arrangements and culinary arts for pleasure, or venture deep into the woods for exploration.  When they introduced me to this refined yet rugged statue, with its silver and white finish, I was captivated by the duality it seemed to embody—a trait shared by the owners themselves. 

Inspired by this balance, I envisioned the apartment as an extension of the outdoors.  I designed a series of platforms of varying heights and materials, evoking the textures and layers of nature.  Warm wooden surfaces invite sitting or walking, while sturdy stone countertops provide spaces for daily tasks.  These height variations echo the natural terrain of the neighboring hill and symbolize the waves beneath Dharma’s feet.  Beneath these platforms, ample storage space is subtly concealed. 

The apartment is essentially an open space, with the platforms serving as multi-functional furniture for the couple to nestle upon.  It is a cozy retreat for two, yet spacious enough to welcome friends.  At its heart, Dharma appears to float in a cave-like cabinet, positioned on the axis of daily life, as if calmly observing everything within his gaze. 

Here, one can sit freely, bathe in a serene “cave,” or find a quiet corner for reflection.  The space flows seamlessly, making being indoors feel as if you are still connected to the outdoors. 

The owners and I have shared a lifelong bond, exploring vast forests and scaling majestic mountains over the years.  This apartment is a distillation of those shared memories.  I hope it brings them comfort and peace, just as our enduring friendship has over the decades.

達摩窟

這間28坪、鄰近山林的居所，住著一對夫妻，和一尊達摩。

太太喜歡讀書插花，先生愛下廚做飯、與朋友飲酒喝茶；不時會攜手遠離城市，踏入荒山溪谷。因緣偶遇一銀白相間的達摩，其細膩粗獷、動靜兼具的特質恰如他們的寫照。

因此我想像在屋內活動彷彿穿梭在山野間，創造一系列木、石紋交織的平台。木紋溫潤可走、坐，石紋剛硬應付粗活。內部是儲藏，外部滿足生活需求。高低起伏回應屋外山坡地形變化，並暗喻達摩腳下波浪。

空間開放，可隔兩房。平台可供多人休憩，也可如露宿野外般鋪墊平躺。一座櫃體如壁窟，達摩懸置其中，凝守生活起居軸心。

放鬆時隨地坐，幽靜石穴中梳洗。在任一處，能望向周圍延伸的空間；在屋內，彷彿身處屋外山林中。

屋主與我相識三十年，我們曾一起走入北美遼闊的森林，爬上台灣雋永的山脈。年輕時沒想過，會為他們在不惑之年完成此人生階段的居所。這空間是共同回憶的淬鍊，希望他們往後生活在此，如隱世賢者，自在瀟灑。