Eager to leave Taipei behind for a quieter life in the mountains, a retired Taiwanese couple took the recommendation of their son-in-law and hired Spanish architect Urdaneta Zeberio to realize their vision of an affordable retirement home in rural Nanzhuang, two hours north of Taichung.

“They are a very open-minded couple looking to build something special, different from what they saw around Taiwan,” says Zeberio, who adds that the clients are special not only because they are the in-laws of one of his best friends, but also because of their appreciation for new ideas—a mindset not commonly found among the older generation in Taiwan.

An open attitude was critical to the success of the project, which faced multiple challenges from the start.

The clients, Mr. and Mrs. Zhan, had purchased land in a private community located near the very top of a mountain, which came with spectacular views as well as complex and hilly terrain that made it impossible for large construction vehicles to access, and could only be minimally modified per community regulations. The limited technical skills of the local rural workforce also posed a problem, not to mention the modest budget and the area’s susceptibility to typhoons and earthquakes.

“Due to these factors, we opted for a more flexible and lightweight metal structure as the optimal construction solution,” explains Zeberio, who prefabricated the home’s metal skeleton off-site and elevated it on stilts to mitigate the steep change in slope. “We tried to use the minimum number of materials on the facade and interiors and keep the structure of the house very simple and symmetrical to make sure the available workers could build it without having to read many plans.”

“In the beginning of the design process, the house was much more complex, but once we began looking for construction companies, the ones willing to build such a small house on that site had problems understanding the plans,” says Zeberio. “So simplification was not only due to budget, but also to make sure the construction company could actually build the project.”

The 1,075-square-foot DH House—the initials represent “Dream House,” a term Mr. Zhan used to describe the project—was built for approximately $120,000, a total cost that includes everything from site work to interior finishing. Oriented north to south, the elevated gabled structure “flies over the terrain” and has a covered parking and outdoor terrace space underneath.

Inside, the home features minimalist decor that keeps focus on the outdoors. “I made this project thinking of how I would like to live,” says Zeberio. “Most of the time, it is not about the size, the budget, or the quality of the materials, but about how peaceful the space can become.”

Related Reading: 10 Steel Prefabs That Are Both Modern and Practical

Project Credits:

Architect of Record: UZ architecture / @uzarchitecture

Builder/ General Contractor: Mr Wu construction

Appears In

A Taiwanese Couple’s Retirement Home Conquers Tricky Terrain With Prefab Construction