Penghu House / XRANGE Architects

Architects: XRANGE Architects
Area: 645 m²
Year: 2020
Photography: Kuo-Min Lee
Interior and Landscape Design: XRANGE Architects
Lead Architects: Grace Cheung
Structural Engineers: Top Technic Engineering Consultants Co., Ltd.
Lighting Design: Unolai Lighting Design and Associates
Construction Company: Yu Chen Construction Engineering Ltd.
Interior Construction: Kwong Fung Interiors Inc
City: Magong City, Penghu County
Country: Taiwan

Penghu House residential building designed by XRANGE Architects in Penghu, China integrates climate-responsive construction and architectural references to indigenous coral stone houses to accommodate a multi-generational family. Influenced by the laogushi typology, the project uses three distinct building volumes with curved ridge roofs, reinterpreted slit and pillar openings, and granite panel cladding with 30-centimeter thick walls to resist seasonal wind and heat. Completed in 2020, the house relies on passive cooling, cross ventilation designed into mechanical ducts, and natural clay finishes to maintain indoor comfort without mechanical systems. Spatial organization reinforces ancestral relationships through clearly defined zones and vertical connections to ritual spaces.

“To make the best possible project for the site, by respecting the context without succumbing to it, in order to find the most original expression.”
Interview with Grace Cheung of XRANGE Architects

Penghu House by XRANGE Architects draws directly from the laogushi coral stone houses found across the Penghu archipelago west of Taiwan. These historical buildings, introduced during the Qing dynasty along southern China’s coast, were built from coral blocks laid over basalt foundations quarried on the islands. They are known for a compact nine-square plan, curved gable-like roof ridges, and slit and pillar openings that reduce wind exposure.

The design for Penghu House interprets these features through a tripartite composition, created for a multi-generational family living on windswept land surrounded by farmland and wild chrysanthemum fields. The house is organized into three linear volumes, each with a distinct roof profile. Together, they form a composition reminiscent of clustered traditional homes rising above the landscape. Balcony and patio screens reinterpret the traditional slit and pillar openings, positioned in front of floor-to-ceiling glass doors that increase daylight access and enable natural airflow. The cladding, composed of white stone, offers a strong contrast to the blue sky and green surroundings.

The structural and spatial organization relies on load-bearing walls that define the three main volumes. The central unit holds a five-meter-tall living room intended for gatherings and rituals. The eastern volume features a courtyard that connects the ground-level bedrooms of the parents with an ancestral temple above. The western volume contains the kitchen and dining areas, and above them, the master bedroom opens to a roofscape where three roof profiles flow into one continuous spatial sequence facing the sea.

Adaptation to the island’s climate is central to the design. Few openings are placed on the northeast facade, which faces severe winter winds. Deep overhangs and slit and pillar screens along the south and west sides limit heat gain. The entire exterior is clad in a ventilated granite rainscreen system mounted over walls and roofs that are 30 centimeters thick. This assembly provides additional insulation and protects the house during intense seasonal weather changes.

The site includes a natural wellspring and a small organic farming patch for family use. Cross ventilation strategies are distributed throughout the house and integrated into mechanical and duct systems, allowing the house to remain comfortable even when outdoor temperatures reach 35 °C (95 °F) without using air conditioning. Bedrooms are finished with natural clay render that stabilizes humidity levels and prevents mold, which is common in Penghu’s humid climate.

Interior finishes contribute both environmentally and atmospherically. The roofscape is lined with pine wood, offering a distinct scent and visual warmth. Leftover timber from construction was reused to produce custom furniture and screening components, minimizing material waste.

Penghu House integrates historical building knowledge into a contemporary system. Its spatial structure, environmental strategy, and material choices demonstrate how vernacular wisdom continues to shape architectural responses to climate and culture. The result is a resilient, site-specific family dwelling rooted in local tradition and designed for generational continuity.