Crafted from three truckloads of scrap wood — Tainan designer homestay exudes “memorable fragrance”

Reported and photographed by You Ru / Tainan correspondent

In a city steeped in ancient capital heritage, no matter where you go, if you pause and observe carefully, you can savor a unique aura of culture and thought. Hidden in a quiet corner of Anping’s residential area in Tainan lies a quaint homestay infused with the scent of wood, constructed using about ten types of timber and the unique creativity of carpenters. The entire homestay is filled with ingenious creativity and thoughtful details. From sunlit windows, you can gaze out at the Anping Canal, and as the evening breeze blows, the blend of old wood and new ideas releases the fragrance of timber into the air.


▲ A homestay decorated with reclaimed wood, even the door panels showcase clever design.


▲ As the evening breeze blows, the blend of old wood and new ideas releases the fragrance of timber into the air.

“Good design is about caring for life, and that’s why I personally devoted myself to designing this homestay.” Lee, the homestay owner and designer, is a 29-year-old young man who exudes an American-style artist vibe. Having previously worked in trade, he fell in love with design and decided to switch careers. Less than two years into his new path, the Re+Wood Guesthouse is his very first self-designed creation.


▲ Lee, the homestay owner and designer, is a 29-year-old young man who exudes an American-style artist vibe.

Stepping into Re+Wood Guesthouse, the first thing you notice is the scent of wood. “These timbers were all collected by me over the course of more than a year, from various places.” Centering on sustainability, Lee used reclaimed wood collage as the foundational concept of the design. The walls, door panels, and tables throughout the guesthouse are all made from reclaimed timber. Lee said there was enough scrap wood gathered from various sources to fill three trucks. When he decided to make reclaimed wood the design focus, the first task was to collect enough materials before construction could begin.

Throughout Re+Wood Guesthouse, every room, doorway, and stairway corner features a different creative touch. “The composition of a space isn’t just about labor costs and material expenses—what costs much more and can’t be bought is the accumulated knowledge and experience.” Irregular pieces of scrap wood are painted and assembled into door panels, reflecting the carpenter’s long-term expertise and thoughtful design. The uneven surfaces of the door panels also serve a “sound-breaking” function when pieced together—a unique touch imparted by the master craftsman.


▲ The uneven surfaces of the door panels serve a “sound-breaking” function during assembly, a unique touch from the master craftsman.


▲ %ee paid special attention to the angles of light and shadow in the rooms, using different lighting fixtures to create varied styles and cozy atmospheres.



 


▲ Throughout Re+Wood Guesthouse, every room, doorway, and stairway corner features a different creative touch.


▲ The stairwell also doubles as a display area.


▲ Cutting boards are used as coasters.

 
▲ Wine crates and old windows are also repurposed as wall-mounted storage designs.
  

▲ The shadow lamps in the stairwell cast beautiful patterns through the interplay of light and shadow.

“Architecture design can’t be quantified—it’s not just about craftsmanship.” Beyond the door panels, each room in the guesthouse has a distinct thematic structure. Room styles range from black, bright, and natural wood tones, some using reclaimed wood collage, while others feature walls made from OSB boards made of compressed mixed timber. Each room brings freshness and delightful surprises. Lee also paid close attention to the angles of light and shadow, using various lighting to create diverse styles and comfortable moods.

“Opening this small lodging, I only hired two parents who were re-entering the workforce, because I believe they will take care of the house as if it were their own home.” Lee said he wants to convey to guests not just a clean accommodation environment, but also the warmth of a home-like feel thanks to the care of these parents. More importantly, when you step into the room, the scent that wafts from the old wood is a fragrance buried deep in memory—and a unique aroma belonging to the ancient capital of Tainan.


▲ The scent that wafts from the old wood is a fragrance buried deep in memory—and a unique aroma belonging to the ancient capital of Tainan.

【Re+Wood Guesthouse】
Address: No. 393-1, Section 4, Minquan Road, Anping District, Tainan City
Phone: 0975-590152
Room Rates: Vary between NT$1,000 and NT$3,000 depending on the holiday and room type.
Official Website:http://www.facebook.com/RE.Wood.Guesthouse