MVRDV Unveils "Out of the Box": A Marble-Clad Skyscraper Redefining Urban Living in Taipei
Taipei, Taiwan – The Dutch architecture firm MVRDV, renowned for its innovative and often playful designs, has unveiled plans for a striking new residential skyscraper in Taipei that promises to challenge conventional high-rise aesthetics and offer residents a unique connection to the city. Dubbed "Out of the Box," this 25-story tower, commissioned by Win Sing Development Company, is set to become a distinctive landmark with its dynamic, marble-clad facade punctuated by a myriad of protruding, cantilevered volumes.
Located in Taipei's Tianmu neighborhood, a predominantly mid-rise area, the design for "Out of the Box" directly addresses its context. "Considering this building's location and its low-rise neighbors, we knew that this would be a building for viewing – something to see, and something to see from," explained Winy Maas, founding partner at MVRDV. "The boxes popping out from the building signify this quality. They literally reach out into the surroundings, providing ideal lookout platforms to see the mountains and the city."1
A Vertical Puzzle of Outdoor Spaces
What truly sets "Out of the Box" apart is its intelligent and intricate use of outdoor space. Rather than a monolithic tower, the structure appears as a vertical puzzle, where each of its 93 apartments, ranging from 1,130 to 1,500 square feet, benefits from a unique cantilevered balcony, loggia, or terrace. These "boxes" vary in depth, some extending up to six meters, creating a diverse catalogue of private outdoor areas – a highly sought-after amenity in dense urban environments like Taipei.
The design team utilized sophisticated digital scripting to meticulously determine the size and placement of each box, balancing factors like sunlight exposure, privacy, and optimal views. This strategic approach ensures that while the building's core floorplans are based on repeating types, the exterior variations create subtle shifts in layout and perspective for each residence. This results in everything from double-height balconies in duplex units to deep, shaded loggias and open terraces, blurring the lines between interior and exterior living.
Marble Elegance Meets Urban Dynamic
The building's exterior is clad in sleek marble, providing a luxurious and timeless aesthetic that contrasts with the seemingly chaotic yet meticulously planned arrangement of the protruding volumes. This combination gives the tower a sophisticated glow, elevating its blocky form beyond a mere "Minecraft-like" appearance, as some have playfully suggested. The choice of natural materials also harmonizes with the greenery planned for the terraces, aiming to transform the building into a sort of vertical garden that softens the urban fabric of Tianmu.
Beyond the tower itself, MVRDV's design extends to the ground level, where an existing retail area will be redeveloped. A new low-rise building will echo the tower's gridded structure and materials, ensuring visual consistency while integrating existing street vendors into updated retail spaces. The ground level will also feature a swimming pool and a small park, creating valuable green pockets that mediate between the public sidewalk and the private residences, enhancing the overall pedestrian experience.
"Out of the Box" is poised to be MVRDV's first housing project in Taiwan, marking a significant addition to Taipei's luxury real estate market. It represents a bold architectural statement that prioritizes outdoor living, unique perspectives, and a dynamic urban presence, proving that innovative design can indeed go "outside the box" to create truly distinctive homes.