Photography by Kuomin Lee
Create+Think Design Studio have designed a house on the east coast of Taiwan named A’tolan, meaning a place with many rocks.
The house is located on a sloped lot that was full of rocks. When those rocks were excavated to make room for the house, the rocks were then used to build some of the walls throughout the house and landscaping. The home spans over three levels like rice patty terraces.
Photography by Kuomin Lee
Entering the home, you can easily see the excavated rocks that now make up some of the walls.
Photography by Kuomin Lee
To the left of the entryway is the alfresco dining room, that’s open to the outdoors and has uninterrupted views of the Pacific Ocean. A wood lined ceiling provides protection from the sun and rain.
Photography by Kuomin Lee
On the other side of the stone wall is the kitchen, outdoor deck and bedroom. The outdoor deck has a water feature that turns into a waterfall on the lower level, home to an infinity swimming pool.
Photography by Kuomin Lee
The kitchen opens up to the deck for complete indoor / outdoor living. The living area of the home is located outdoors, so easy access to the kitchen is a must. The black kitchen matches the black steel frame of the house, while a wooden countertop matches the deck, and a glass backsplash allows a view through to the rocks behind it. By using glass, it also lets the rocks appear as a piece of art. When needed, the kitchen can be closed off to the elements with accordion glass doors.
Photography by Kuomin Lee
Off to the side of the kitchen and outdoor living room is the bedroom. A large pivoting glass window can be opened for the ocean breeze to drift through, and the window sill then becomes a bench.
Photography by Kuomin Lee
Looking into the bedroom from the deck, the blackened wood accent wall is a bold statement, while the lighter wood and hidden lighting in the ceiling draws your eye upwards, making the room appear larger than it is.
Photography by Kuomin Lee
Next to the bedroom is the bathroom. A round mirror is hung above the aluminum sink and wooden vanity. Around the corner from the vanity is the shower that gets plenty of natural light from the skylight and door leading outside.
Photography by Kuomin Lee
Off to the side of the bathroom and bedroom is a more private deck, with a sunken outdoor bathtub.
Photography by Kuomin Lee
Behind the bathroom and at the end of the deck is a set of wood and steel stairs leading up to the roof.
Photography by Kuomin Lee
On the roof is the rooftop deck, with ocean views as far as the eye can see. The plants in the black planters on the roof are a variety of herbs that are used in the kitchen.
