Vertical Light Flow

The renovation of a three-story old house centers on the “integration of functionality” and the “dance of natural light.” Reconfigured vertical zones and carefully directed daylight allow each floor to remain independent yet visually connected. Natural light can flow freely from one space to another. On this narrow, elongated site, challenged by limited daylight and poor traffic flow, the design introduces a skylight, a reoriented staircase, and multi-directional perforated panels, bringing daylight from a higher level down into a lower level and into the deep areas. Rooted in modernism, the space is enriched with the raw textures of fair-faced concrete and the warm, rustic red bricks, creating an environment that balances contemporary sensibility with humanistic warmth.
The ground floor serves as the public space. Unlike the conventional layout in which the entryway opens and steps right into the living room, the dining room is the first impression of the home, thoughtfully reflecting the homeowners’ lifestyle. Designed to encourage gathering, it immediately sparks conversation and fosters connection among family members. Within the narrow corridor, the mirrored door can extend visual depth and alleviate the sense of oppression, while an arched portal delicately marks a transition, directing movement from the kitchen to the living room and revealing a layered, immersive spatial journey. The second and third floors are designed for private spaces. The use of clean lines, minimal materials, and negative space brings a sense of elegance and sophistication.
Narrow, elongated houses often suffer from insufficient daylight and poor ventilation. Moreover, stair corners are often dim and under-lit. By repositioning the staircase along the central axis of the second and third floors in a Z-shaped configuration and adding a skylight above, this often-forgotten corner is transformed into a luminous focal point. The open riser staircase, which features open gaps between each tread, creates a sense of openness and allows light to flow freely through the space. On the second floor, a glazed opening beneath the staircase guides daylight all the way to the middle of the ground floor, ensuring all spaces are naturally illuminated. At the back of the house, the second- and third-floor bedrooms are subtly set back and paired with windows, allowing light from the skylight to flow once again toward the deepest corners of the home. These thoughtful designs infuse a sense of airiness, breathing new life into a home that has gracefully weathered time.