MVRDV has unveiled ‘The Island’, a 21-story residential tower in Taiwan, inspired by the works of Antoni Gaudí. The tower is designed to bring greenery and nature within the urban fabric, creating a community space and increasing liveability.
Situated at the border between Taichung’s North and Beitun Districts, the building softens the urban fabric and serves as a gateway between urban energy and nature. The tower features 76 apartments elevated above lively commercial floors and communal spaces, including communal dining rooms and cozy lounges. Residents can also access balconies carved into the façade, each forming a three-story pocket of openness.
The tower prioritizes sustainability, with an adaptive reuse of materials salvaged from the former on-site structure, minimizing construction waste. A lattice of over 100 private green balconies and 38 planted façade modules weaves vegetation across the tower’s surface, cultivating biodiversity and tempering the local climate.
The façade is a fluid composition of soft, organic curves wrapped in a shimmering mosaic skin inspired by Gaudí’s works. This intricate cladding technique ensures a durable, easy-to-maintain exterior.
Project Details
– Project name: The Island
– Location: Taichung City, Taiwan
– Architect: MVRDV
– Year: In Progress
– Photography: MVRDV
