Photo credit: MVRDV
A striking new residential tower is set to reshape the skyline of Taipei’s Tianmu neighborhood. Designed by the innovative Dutch architecture firm MVRDV, the 25-story structure, aptly named Out of the Box, draws inspiration from the playful aesthetics of pixelated video games while cleverly navigating Taiwan’s intricate building regulations.
Architectural Innovation Meets Urban Living
Out of the Box stands as a bold statement against the monotony of conventional glass skyscrapers that dominate urban landscapes. Soaring to a height of 250 feet, this audacious design features a dynamic facade adorned with a series of jutting, box-like protrusions. These elements not only captivate the eye but also create additional living spaces, including balconies and terraces. MVRDV explains, “By cross-referencing Taiwanese regulations, we created a catalogue of boxes that offer a range of simple balconies, combined ‘loggia-balconies,’ and double-height balconies connected to duplex apartments.” This approach ensures that the design is as functional as it is visually striking.
Rather than succumbing to the complexities of Taiwan’s building codes, MVRDV embraced the challenge, employing digital scripting to meticulously determine the size and placement of each box. This method allows for an intricate balance of sunlight and privacy, akin to a high-stakes game of Tetris. “The building’s floorplans are based on a small number of repeating apartment types, but the addition of the boxes creates slight variations throughout,” the firm notes, highlighting the intentionality behind the design. The result is a living structure that feels vibrant and dynamic.
Creating Community Spaces
Out of the Box is not merely a visual spectacle; it also offers a unique sense of community. The cantilevered boxes provide residents with coveted private outdoor spaces in a city where such amenities are rare. In Taipei’s humid subtropical climate, having balconies for morning coffee or expansive terraces for social gatherings is invaluable, extending living spaces beyond the confines of four walls. This design philosophy resonates with MVRDV’s commitment to creating buildings that harmonize with their environment. As founding partner Winy Maas articulates, “Proximity makes sense. That’s a fundamental part of our culture.” Here, the focus is on fostering connections to fresh air and community life.
The choice of materials further enhances the tower’s appeal. Clad in elegant marble, the building’s blocky silhouette radiates sophistication, moving away from a simplistic, game-like appearance. This design choice pays homage to Taipei’s appreciation for natural materials while seamlessly integrating with the greenery planned for the terraces, transforming the structure into a vertical garden that softens the urban landscape of Tianmu. MVRDV has previously explored this nature-meets-architecture concept, as seen in their La Serre project in Paris, which features 390 trees sprouting from a high-rise. Out of the Box continues this legacy, embodying the spirit of innovation and sustainability in urban design.
