Situated in the Beitou Hot Spring Area at the foot of Taipei’s Datun Mountains in Taiwan, China, is a residence by Wei Yi International Design Associates designed for an older couple to retire in.

The ‘Din-a-ka’ residence, translating to a ‘covered walkway’, takes its name from a distinct cultural and architectural feature in the early days of Taiwan’s agrarian society. It was the place used for social exchanges in rural areas.

It is a simple plan executed with clean lines in a calming palette of greys and timber. Recycled hinoki, a native wood grown in Taiwan along with cement with a simple matte finish were used as the main materials for shaping the interior. The selection lends a weathered, nostalgic and calm atmosphere to the residence.

“Through the use of materials, such as recycled wood, concrete, terrazzo, and tatami, we explored how materials can be used to create an atmosphere of the space and convey the spirits of the local cultures.”

Designed by Wei Yi International Design Associates for an older couple, the Din-a-ka residence in Taiwan champions a layered approach to minimalism.