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Photo: Ryan Patterson / Olson Kundig

Taiwan Villas

Taipei, Taiwan

Taiwan Villas

Taipei, Taiwan

  • Design Principal

    Jim Olson

  • Design Principal

    Kevin M. Kudo King

Located in the Great Taipei New Town district just south of downtown Taipei, the Taiwan Villas are in a development of 28 luxury homes designed by five world-renowned architects. Olson Kundig designed five unique homes, each with a distinct relationship to the lush and serene mountain landscape, and together conceived as peaceful retreats from everyday life. Set high within the tree-covered mountains, the homes combine privacy with expansive views of both city and natural terrain.

At approximately 9,500 square feet each, the four-level homes are arranged by use: a service level on the lowest level, followed by a casual family level above, a formal entertaining level next, and ending with a private retreat on the top level. While some of the homes are on flat sites and some on sloping sites, this varying topography led to a diversity of architectural expression within the five homes, including several with dramatic vertical interior spaces.

Throughout the homes, large windows frame seamless views, visually dissolving the boundary between inside and outside, further enhanced by infinity-edged pools that merge water and sky. Interior rooms connect to exterior terraces, merging inside and outside, and facilitating cross ventilation. The expansive, minimal rooms in each home are crafted of stone, stucco, glass and steel. Strong contrasts between the stone surfaces and more delicate interior features lend a sophisticated character to the homes. Each residence serves as a quiet and protected sanctuary – together, they are a world apart.

Some of the sites are flat, some of the sites are sloping, but the topography makes the architectural expression more interesting. Jim Olson, FAIA

Team

Publications

2017

Woodhead, Pippa. “How architect Calvin Tsao was ‘seduced’ by the Taipei hill.” Property Report, 11 Jan. 2017. Web.

2016

“Architectural Masters Design Houses in Taipei.” InDesignLive Singapore. 1 Sept. 2016. Web.

“At the Top of Taiwan.” The Peak (Hong Kong), Aug. 2016, 59. Print.

“Design Masters Take On Taiwan.” InDesignLive Hong Kong. 1 Sept. 2016. Web.

“Home is Where the Art Is.” Prestige Hong Kong, Nov. 2016, 194-197. Print.

“Jim Olson Houses.” Conde Nast Taiwan, Nov. 2016, 37. Print.

“Jim Olson 在台北的首個住宅建築,” Sina Taiwan, 9 Nov. 2016. Web.

“Phoenix Property Investors Set to Unveil Exclusive Master Collection.” Pacific Rim Construction. 15 July 2016. Web.

“Swanky Crew.” Metropolitan Home, Dec. 2016, 22. Print.

“The Master Collection 世界五大師鉅作齊聚台灣.” Mansions Taiwain. 13 Sept. 2016. Web.

“The Master Collection.” Conde Nast Taiwan, Sept. 2016, 31. Print.

“The Master Collection.” Hong Kong Tatler Homes, Winter 2016, 104. Print.

“The Peak: Jim Olson Houses.” House Style, Nov. 2016, 110-113. Print.

“World-renowned architect reveals first Taipei residential project and official show gallery.” Star Property, 3 Nov. 2016. Web.

“The Master Collection by five of the world’s most celebrated architects.” Building Journal, 29 July 2016. Web.

“This new housing development has 28 houses designed by 5 renowned architects!” Home & Décor, 3 Aug. 2016. Web.

Chiang, Cathy. “The Master Collection.” Taiwan Tatler, Oct. 2016, 134-135. Print.

Chu, Samuel. “Seeking Value in Asia.” Asian Property Review. Oct/Nov 2016. Print.

Cotter, Jeannie. “An Enduring Legacy.” Calibre, Dec. 2016, 40-44. Print.

Kerr, Elizabeth. “Rising in the South.” Squarefoot Magazine, Sept. 2016, 12-14. Print.

Woodhead, Pippa. “Architect Jim Olson leads the pack in Taipei’s The Master Collection.” Property Report. 14 Dec 2016. Web.

Wu, Daven. “Master plan: five international architects team up on Taiwan residential scheme.” Wallpaper*, 29 July 2016. Web.

Yong, Jan. “Seeking Value in Asia.” Asian Property Review, Oct. 2016, 38-39. Print.

Yuem, Simon. “Natural luxury.” Perspective, Dec. 2016, 66-70. Print.