Archinn Space

Encounter a revitalized mansion down a secluded, verdant trail

After parking the car, you walk across the railway and head towards a secluded hiking trail hidden behind De’an Temple. Only after you make a turn, will you discover the small winding path under perfect camouflage of lush forest, pointing in the direction of Kinshan Temple. As the excitement of the unknown leads you forward, you step steadily upon the steep stairway, observing the sunlight and shadows falling on the ground. Farther in, you see a lintel carved with the Chinese characters “Fu Yuan” which literally means garden of blessing. Here, an otherworldly paradise spreads out in front of you.

At the end of the slate trail lies a sleek and modern building surrounded by greenery. This grand forest mansion with its vast sky vistas now exhibits its exclusive beauty under the diligent management of its current hosts, the Archi brothers.

Archi Yang and Archi Zone, with backgrounds in interior design and architecture, have accompanied each other through many phases of their lives, including academia, getting qualified as professional architects, and even building the dream of a lifetime together. Recalling the time they found this property by surprise, the previous owner was trying to get rid of it at a low price due to the severe humidity damage caused by long years of neglect. However, in the Archi brothers’ eyes, this 50-year-old courtyard house was no less than an unpolished gem. After three years of contemplation and revision, they finally agreed upon the ninth version of their renovation plan. Moreover, they insisted on completing the construction with their own hands. Their father, who was strongly against this whole idea from the beginning, became a long-term guesthouse tenant, working as a breakfast chef while enjoying his retirement in the mountains. Now, all three of them, father and sons, continue to create their ideal living space here together.

An ideal living space focused on people

Preserving the original structure of the courtyard house, ArchInn Space’s guestrooms spread along the side wing. In the living area, the cropped-legged tea table paired with floor cushions, rather than big couch or armchairs, was chosen by the hosts in order not to block the beautiful forest view. Without the hindrance of huge pieces of furniture, the space is kept simple for the utilization of their guests. All walls in the living area have been replaced by glass, allowing the four seasons to enter freely. Sunlight streams in between pillars and beams, falling across the wooden floors, warming up your every move.

Both considerate and meticulous, the Archi brothers always keep their guests’ needs in mind. For instance, the dehumidifier is running 24/7 to combat the humid mountain climate, offering you a good night’s sleep; the loft space in each room is designed for the delight of kids or playful adults alike; the handmade ladder with conscientious ergonomic construction allows you to effortlessly climb up into, and down from, the loft.

Five fully-equipped guestrooms are simple and compact, and for a reason: the Archi brothers hope that you would spend more time outside on the forest-encompassed terrace, appreciating the pink sakura blossoms, taking deep breaths of fresh air, and gazing upon the far-off town of Keelung under the romantic sunset. This terrace also serves as an outdoor kitchen, where guests are welcome to enjoy barbecue around a one-piece concrete island. Guests may also play in the water fountain built into the slate platform by the Archi brothers—a great way to cool down in the summer heat. Under the big banyan tree, construction will soon begin on an outdoor cinema, for sure you won’t be the only one in attendance at those future screening nights.

Sometimes you might just want to lie lazily on the soft carpet in front of the wood stove in the living area, letting the fire warm up your body while chatting with other groups of guests. If you are lucky, you will see the Archi brothers preparing party delicacies for you, which might include grilled steak, grilled chicken, fresh bread, roasted sweet potatoes, and more. The lingering aroma reminds you of wonderful travel memories that you are eager to share with your newly-met friends while waiting the start of the feast.

A youthful power that speaks out

The Chinese name of ArchInn Space means “gravity,” and is the Archi brothers’ first project undertaken for themselves. In their opinion, people’s lives are all connected, and spaces are likewise in constant interaction with each other. They also believe that every piece of architecture embodies a unique language, which can be made richer through accommodating different guests. Furthermore, they sincerely hope that their youthful energy will help them to grow roots in their hometown of Keelung. This guesthouse is merely a piece of the puzzle in their vision of the future—other plans include holding art events, educational workshops, and more. For them, the future is filled with boundless possibilities.

Gravity is a force that forever pulls towards the earth’s core, which aptly represents the Archi brothers’ attitude toward architectural work: youthful but not exaggerated, creative but not reckless. They are down-to-earth, and demand of themselves the production of influential works, the creation of ideal living spaces invigorated with their youthful energy.