Tall & Urban News

MVRDV has unveiled a 25-story residential tower and streetscape project in Tianmu, a northern district of Taipei. Developed for Win Sing Development Company, the tower’s distinctive gridded marble façade is animated by box-like projections—balconies, loggias, and terraces—that offer expansive views of downtown Taipei and Yangmingshan National Park.

Positioned on Zhongshan North Road, a key arterial route, the tower is designed to stand out in a mostly low-rise neighborhood. The façade’s “pop-out” boxes emerged from a careful study of Taiwan’s complex building regulations governing outdoor space. By cross-referencing these rules, MVRDV created a catalogue of architectural elements—including double-height balconies and deep terraces—that give each of the 93 apartments a unique floorplan while maintaining structural efficiency through standardized layouts.

The size and placement of these boxes were determined using digital scripts that analyzed sun exposure and spatial potential, resulting in a playful yet functional form. “They literally reach out into the surroundings,” said MVRDV founding partner Winy Maas, highlighting the dual role of the boxes as lookout platforms and visual icons.

The development also includes a companion building with retail spaces for existing shop owners, designed to harmonize with the street’s scale while echoing the tower’s grid aesthetic. At street level, landscaped public areas and a multifunctional ground-floor zone—including a swimming pool and access to a green park—enhance the site’s livability. A rooftop communal terrace further expands the array of outdoor amenities for residents.

Learn more at MVRDV.