Reception Room

At the top of the wood stair is the second-floor reception room. The continuous bank of windows provides panoramic views of the countryside and enlivens the interior with an abundance of daylight.The feature is the geometric arrangement of the window muntins, which filters and enhances the beauty of the natural light.

Ancestral Shrine Room

These original tables and chairs in the ancestral shrine room were dowry gifts from the family of Chiang A-Hsin’s wife, Zhan Suan Mei. Note how the false door panel to the left mirrors the real door on the right and augments the symmetry of the furniture arrangement and the room.

Ceiling Ports

The ceiling cornice is punctuated by a number of oval ports to facilitate ventilation through the attic to the exterior.

Coffered Wooden Panel Ceilings

Observe that the motif in the wooden paneling consists of forms resembling turtles and copper coins. These are auspicious symbols of longevity and wealth in Taiwan. This imagery is woven into a geometric lattice that re-contextualizes the Western coffered ceiling in a uniquely Taiwanese setting.

Decorative Woodwork at Windows

The window casing and curtain valances were cut and sculpted from different wood species to create multicolor ornamental inlays.

Piano Room

The grandchildren of Chiang A-Hsin would practice in this room.

Attic and Roof Structure

The structure of the roof consists of solid wood members. The framework is only visible within the attic, which is accessed from the upper tier of built-in wall cabinets.

Vestibule

The vestibule functions as a transition room without compromising the openness and interconnection between spaces and the outside.

The Oculus

The oculus connecting the staircase to the study brings air and light deep into the house and imbues the interior with an enigmatic symbolism.