In a Taipei apartment, a family living room treehouse replaces the traditional sofa, turning the central space into a play and work hub for two young children and their parents.
TY Archistudio learned that evenings were spent on the floor, reading, building, and sharing games rather than gathered around a television.
The architects responded by redesigning the living room to match those habits, removing a conventional couch and installing a multi-level wooden structure.
Redefining the Central Space
A 19-foot-long (5.8-meter) upholstered platform runs along the windows, offering a place to sit, stretch, or read while overlooking the floor below.
The platform sits beside a curved wood desk, allowing a parent to work and keep an eye on the children without leaving the room.
Multiple activities can occur simultaneously: one child climbs the treehouse, another draws at the desk, and a parent relaxes nearby.
Treehouse and Play Features
The treehouse, built from Nordic pine, integrates into the apartment’s structure and features rounded walls with circular openings of 9 and 18 inches (24 and 48 cm).
A slide connects the treehouse to the green platform, turning the descent into an additional play element.
The design gives the daughter a private nook within the shared room, granting independence while maintaining visual contact with her parents.
Engineers concealed the supporting frame inside the wood, anchoring it to the floor slab and walls; a detailed 3D model coordinated the structure, lighting, and curved surfaces within a 2.93-meter ceiling.
While the treehouse resembles a large piece of furniture, its construction required careful planning to meet structural and safety standards.
Because the openings allow sightlines across the room, the children can observe family activities without feeling isolated.
Such a layout encourages spontaneous interaction, as the kids can move between levels without disrupting adult conversations.
Architects noted that the treehouse’s height creates a sense of vertical play space uncommon in typical apartments.
From a design perspective, the use of natural wood softens the urban environment, offering a tactile contrast to surrounding surfaces.
By integrating the treehouse, the living room becomes a hybrid zone that blends leisure, learning, and family bonding.
Practical Storage and Flow
Hidden beneath the green cushions are large drawers on casters, providing storage for toys, games, and everyday items.
When the children finish playing, the drawers can be pulled out, allowing quick tidying without additional cabinets.
The living room opens directly onto the kitchen and dining area, where pale wood and curved shapes continue the visual language.
A rounded dining table extends from the kitchen island, keeping the seating area close to cooking spaces while preserving an open feel.
A hanging chair nearby adds an informal spot for quick meals or casual conversation.
Adaptable Bedrooms and Future Use
The children’s bedroom features a loft bed that utilizes the apartment’s height, leaving 70 inches (178 cm) of clearance below for a desk, drawers, and storage.
A wall with regularly spaced holes lets shelves and pegs be repositioned as the children’s needs evolve.
The desk’s height is adjustable, allowing it to grow with the child and avoid the need for a complete replacement.
A concealed door near the living room leads through a walk-through closet to the main bedroom, creating a shortcut between shared and private spaces.
The main bedroom presents a subdued palette, with a padded headboard and softly illuminated wood cabinetry that contrasts with the lively living area.
TY Archistudio says the family now naturally gathers in the living room throughout the day, using the space for climbing, reading, working, and playing.
