Tucked into the verdant hills behind Taipei 101, this family villa residences occupies a rare condition: located minutes from central Taipei yet immersed in sweeping views of a secluded valley at the city’s edge. For long-time client Mr. Lee, the site was envisioned as a multigenerational family residence. Each family member – his mother, sister, brother, and himself – would have a dedicated living level, while shared spaces would bring the family together.

The ground floor accommodates staff quarters; the second floor serves as the communal heart of the home with a spacious kitchen, dining area, and living room; and a mechanical parking elevator is concealed in the basement. The top floor houses the family shrine, a Japanese-style tatami room, tea area, and guest suites. Above it all, a rooftop pool, terrace, and barbecue area form the family’s private retreat, complemented by a belvedere offering panoramic views.

The site’s narrow, elongated geometry shaped the organizational strategy. All service functions – elevator, staircases, and service balconies – are aligned along one side of each floor plate, freeing the remaining area for clean, uninterrupted rectangular living spaces for every residence.

A series of balconies and Taiwan-specific “rain shields” wrap the periphery, positioned to extend bedrooms and living areas seamlessly to the outdoors. To unify these elements into a coherent architectural expression, a secondary exterior wall was introduced, transforming the building into a layered, sculptural object reminiscent of a traditional jade curio. This gesture ties the residence to local culture and to the Lee family’s heritage.

The outer façade is clad in large, light-colored stone panels that reflect sunlight and enhance self-shading, while the inner façade features warm wood finishes that bring a sense of comfort and domesticity. A darker stone base grounds the building and visually anchors the composition, allowing the upper volumes to read as a refined, contemporary curio box.