About two years ago, our small team received a special project for preservation of an old house. After preparation, renovation, and reorganization, it finally blossomed in spring this year. We now have our own old house bed and breakfast—”Curved Lane Winter Sunshine (Sukina B&B No.1)”. Located at No. 52 Jinsheng Lane within Lukang’s Nine Winding Alleys, it was formerly a Han-style old residence abandoned for over twenty years. With considerations for optimal spatial planning, we preserved the original features of the old house, such as hexagonal bricks, wooden round beams, and red brick walls. We repaired deteriorated parts, added steel frames to support the new structure, and introduced natural light, overcoming the typical lack of illumination in alley houses. We provide comfortable and distinctive accommodation experiences for travelers who appreciate old houses.
Old House Revitalization Challenge
“How can I properly repurpose the old house left by my elders?” The current owner who lives elsewhere raised this question with palpable anxiety coming from the dilemma of not knowing how to evaluate and utilize the renovated old house in the future.
Imagining they might not be able to plan the future of the old house comprehensively, yet concerned that merely handing over the restored space to others might lead to worries about proper care and utilization of the old house’s cultural value, they faced the layered dilemma that “neither renovating nor leaving it alone seems right.”
Planning Integration, Transformation and Renewal
In other words, although homeowners have the desire to preserve their family’s old house, they often cannot find appropriate solutions that address both ‘restoration’ and ‘adaptive reuse’ planning simultaneously. During the process of searching for solutions, our X-Basic Planning cross-departmental team’s professional ‘integration’ capabilities provides assistance, offering homeowners direction to solve this core problem.
From inspections of old houses, historical research, architectural repairs and interior design expertise, to evaluation planning and guidance on relevant government support and subsidy policies, we not only provide design planning for hardware renovation, but also focus on software aspects such as operation planning for reuse, assessment and implementation. This ensures that transformed old houses not only change spatially, but also connect with the times and maintain sustainability in their vibrant new uses.
We hope that at Jinsheng Lane 52 ‘Curved Lane Winter Sunshine,’ we can create a restful and comfortable home for travelers who appreciate old houses. The winding Nine Curves Lane blocks Lukang’s winter winds, keeping its houses warm as spring even in winter. One can enjoy the shade under a Chinaberry tree, looking up at green leaves against a blue sky, drink tea and soak in a hot bath in the backyard, or warm up with a drink by the fire in winter.
The ‘transformative renewal’ of local old houses is not easy. We hope that the comprehensive solutions we’ve discussed and implemented with homeowners can bring contented smiles to more people. Finally, we always say that a house with people has light. Lukang Curved Lane Winter Sunshine awaits your visit to experience the renewed charm of this transformed old house.