This project is a design for a residential tower in Taichung City that has predominately 2 bed and 3 bed flats. The essence of this project lies in redefining the image of residential buildings in Taiwan, seeking to transcend the conventional stereotypes associated with apartment blocks. The design team endeavored to break free from the constraints imposed by stringent building regulations, aiming to usher in a new era of architectural innovation and aesthetics.
The proposed building measures approximately 33 meters in length and 17 meters in width, with a height of fourteen stories. Considering the overall height-to-width ratio, the massing design divides the façade into a twin tower imagery. Taking into account that the southeastern corner of the building faces a main thoroughfare, as well as the southern garden space within the site, this design elevates the corner massing to generate a visual focal point and contribute to the formation of an urban skyline with varied heights. The front-facing façade design incorporates projecting balconies, which are intricately arranged in groups across the façade. This arrangement enhances the overall architectural massing with a sense of dynamic and playful interest, further contributing to the creation of a distinct architectural identity.
The architectural façade design employs a clean and crisp white framework to shape the twin tower forms. Shading from recessed atriums and dark gray crossing beams contribute to the enhanced clarity of the twin towers' appearance. The lofty ground floor integrates seamlessly into this framework, exuding a restrained yet elegant ambiance. Above the first floor, dark gray exterior walls serve as a backdrop within the framework, while angled white walls provide gradually unfolding vertical lines. This is complemented by varied architectural elements such as intricately placed dark gray metal louvers, projecting balconies, and flower planters. Consistent horizontal bands demarcate each floor, evoking a sense of robust framing interwoven with playful horizontal and vertical lines, creating a rich sense of rhythm. The roof garden below the framework hosts trees and shrubs, harmonizing the rigid architectural framework with soft landscape elements, promoting vertical greenery, and providing a communal outdoor space for the residents.
The design predominantly employs white and dark gray as the primary color scheme. Greenery is introduced through external balconies and planters on residential floors, along with landscaped features on the roof terrace. Moreover, the design incorporates walls and projecting balconies with varying angles, causing white surfaces to exhibit varying brightness and shadow effects due to changing sunlight angles, resulting in a dynamic architectural expression that evolves over time. Outdoor air conditioning units for each flat are discreetly placed behind metal louvers in the atrium, minimizing their impact on the building's facades.
The main framework of the façade employs self-cleaning white render, achieving a seamless and monumental sense of mass. The dark grey exterior walls of residential units feature vertically laid linear wall tiles, establishing delicate vertical lines that resonate with the verticality of full-height windows. Horizontal exposed beams and terraces on residential levels are covered by dark grey wall tiles. Angled walls, on the other hand, are coated with white render with decorative grooves, creating an interplay of horizontal and vertical lines.
The interior design for the communal spaces follows the same contemporary style. White sandstone, marble, and washed oak panels are the main finishes used in the interior spaces.
General Information and Credits
Design Team: Plus Square Design: Chia-Liang Huang, Chia-Yun Wu
Project Name: Chingyuan Neo One
Project location: Taichung City, Taiwan
Lead Architect: Plus Square Design
Design Team: Chia-Liang Huang, Chia-Yun Wu
Clients: Chingyuan Construction Ltd.
Architect of Record: Yi-Bang Chen Architects
Structural Engineer: Jianyou Engineering Technology Consulting Co., Ltd.
Building Services Engineer: Shiu-Chu Liu
Landscape Designer: Plus Square Design
Interior Designer: Plus Square Design
Completion Year: 2027