Out of the Box by MVRDV brings a new sense of spatial experimentation to residential living in Taipei’s Tianmu neighborhood. The 25-story tower is composed of carefully arranged box-like forms that punctuate the skyline, creating a variety of outdoor terraces and balconies. This design expands possibilities for private and communal spaces.
The marble-clad grid provides a quiet counterpoint to the dynamic geometry, grounding the building in its urban surroundings. Each of the 93 apartments within the tower features a unique floor plan, ensuring no two living spaces are the same. Residents engage with layouts that respond directly to the shifting forms outside, making everyday routines more flexible.
The cantilevered volumes extend living areas outward, giving access to generous outdoor terraces that are rare in dense city environments. These terraces offer residents private moments with views over the city and the distant Yangmingshan mountains. The building’s boxy projections create real, usable spaces both inside and out.
The organization of volumes allows for cross-ventilation and natural light, enhancing comfort through the seasons. The grid structure creates a sense of order and rhythm, while the shifting boxes maintain a sense of playfulness and movement.
Taipei tower shapes urban interaction
This residential design encourages a more interactive relationship between architecture and daily life. Community amenities are integrated at ground level and in the immediate surroundings. A landscaped area with a swimming pool serves as a social anchor for residents, while nearby shops receive thoughtful updates as part of the overall project.
The design is keenly aware of its context along Zhongshan North Road, responding to both the flow of people and the established architectural language of the neighborhood. This sensitivity extends to the building’s integration with the street, where the tower invites activity and engagement. Material choices reinforce a sense of minimalism and durability.
The marble cladding lends a tactile quality to the exterior, while the open, airy interiors benefit from abundant daylight. The focus on outdoor space is especially relevant in the context of Taipei, where urban density often limits such opportunities. Here, terraces and balconies are not an afterthought but an essential component, extending the living environment and blurring the boundaries between indoors and outdoors.
Out of the Box exemplifies how high-density housing can move beyond repetition and uniformity. By rethinking the arrangement of volumes and the relationship between private and communal spaces, MVRDV proposes a new template for urban living. The tower’s modular approach, flexible layouts, and generous outdoor spaces offer both utility and delight.
