Blending the influences of Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier, and Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Meier and Partners Architects could be considered the ultimate conduit of 20th-century modernism in contemporary practice. The American firm’s distinctive aesthetic is immediately recognizable and stands as a present-day ode to those modern masters in contrast with a plethora of styles constructed in the meantime. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the Taiwanese capital of Taipei, where Meier’s latest building is rising in the city’s eastern district.
Commissioned by Continental Development Corporation, the Xin-Yi Residential Tower — otherwise known as “Timeless 55” — is being constructed just a block away from CY Lee’s soaring, postmodern skyscraper, the super-tall Taipei 101. The juxtaposition of these two buildings marries two divergent paths of thought in contemporary architectural theory, setting up a playful “battle of styles” in one of Asia’s most modern metropolises.
C.Y. Lee’s 1,671-foot-tall tower — the tallest building in the world from 2004 to 2010 — is rich with symbolism, evoking the traditional forms of an Asian pagoda, a stalk of bamboo, and a stack of Chinese money boxes. Meanwhile, Meier’s residential skyscraper is entirely unconcerned with metaphor, driven instead by a desire for “geometric clarity and openness,” according to the firm.
Having said this, Meier is far from oblivious to Taipei’s rich heritage and culture. “As a city rooted in tradition, as well as one of the global hubs in technological innovation, Taipei encapsulates the history of Taiwan,” reflects the architect. “We hope this building will contribute to the vitality and the public life of the city center.”
Meier has endeavored to make this contribution via a series of carefully considered details that allow space and light to reign supreme all the way up the tower. The architectural model — constructed with characteristic craft by Meier’s team — gives an indication of the building’s rhythmic cladding and impossibly thin mullions, which should result in façades defined by sharp shadows and intense blocks of light.
“Natural light is a very important element of the CDC “55 Timeless” Xin-Yi Residential Tower, and the architectural grid helps to bring all the elements of the building into a rational organization so that all of these elements are interrelated both horizontally and vertically,” comments Meier. “This, by consequence, affects the structure and the detailing of the building, bringing everything into a harmonious whole.”
The resulting building exudes all the crisp, whiter-than-white qualities we have come to expect from Meier over the decades. The external envelope appears to have been crafted from laser-cut paper, its gleaming surface in stark relief against the mottled hues of the surrounding buildings. One might doubt whether or not the finished building could possibly match the luminous finish of the renders — but one look at Meier’s previous works shows that the firm has had this spotlessly clean aesthetic mastered for many years already.
The other notable feature of Meier’s design lies at its base: a landscaped plaza at ground level will be entirely dedicated to the public, a move that represents a refreshing precedent for private developments in Taipei. Meanwhile, luxury amenities are to be situated at the top of the building: a pool and terrace will offer residents framed views of the mountains in one direction and Taipei 101 in the other.
The building’s superstructure is on track to be finished by the end of this year, and completion is scheduled for 2017. At this point, a true comparison with Timeless 55’s postmodern counterpart will be possible, and, regardless of your feelings about either branch of contemporary thinking, it should provide for a striking exhibition of formal contrast in the heart of this burgeoning city.
It is unclear exactly how Meier himself feels about the theatrical silhouette of Taipei 101, but, if his shimmering new apartment building is anything to go by, the American architect is quite comfortable sticking with his defiant, consistent brand of modernism. In this case, buildings speak louder than words — and Taipei’s diverse collection of architectural styles will soon be richer for it.
