© MVRDV
Curated by Archirev Editorial | Feature Story | Published Nov 22nd 2025
Source: MVRDV Architects
PROJECT TYPOLOGY: HIGH-RISE RESIDENTIAL
Project name: The Island
Location: Taichung, Taiwan
Architect: MVRDV
Founding Partner in charge: Winy Maas
Design Lead: Jacob van Rijs
Size/Height: 21 storeys; 76 apartments
Client: Not specified
Status: Approved for Construction
Sustainability Strategies: Vertical planting; 104 green balconies; reuse of existing building stone; ceramic façade for longevity; biodiversity-focused planting palette
Primary Systems: Curved balcony structure; façade-integrated planters; ceramic mosaic cladding
Renders: © MVRDV Visualization Team
Taichung’s rapid expansion over the last two decades has transformed its former edges into dense commercial districts. Within this shifting urban context, MVRDV has received construction approval for The Island, a 21-storey residential tower designed to bring greenery, outdoor living, and organic forms into one of the city’s most compact neighbourhoods.
Blending curved geometry with a façade made from Gaudí-inspired ceramic mosaics, the tower introduces a softer architectural expression and foregrounds nature as an essential part of contemporary urban housing.
© MVRDV.
An Oasis in the Middle of the City
The Island occupies a site that once marked the city’s urban edge. Today, however, it sits at the center of a highly developed commercial area. MVRDV responds to this density by shaping the tower as an urban retreat, a “green island” that prioritizes outdoor space, shared areas, and planting at every level.
The design introduces vegetation in multiple layers:
- 104 private balconies, each with planted areas
- 38 large façade planters distributed across the tower
- Ground-level landscaping that softens the building’s interface with the street
- A rooftop garden terrace, forming a lush crown
- Five communal balconies, each a three-storey cut into the façade
This approach not only increases residents’ access to nature but also reflects Taichung’s latest building regulations, which encourage outdoor spaces and greenery to enhance overall urban livability.
© MVRDV.
Street View of Balconies © MVRDV.
Designed for Community and Everyday Living
Aimed at young couples and middle-income residents, The Island integrates a wide range of communal spaces that extend daily life beyond individual apartments.
At the base of the tower, two floors accommodate:
- Commercial units
- A communal dining space
- A lounge
- A karaoke room
Higher up, the five sculpted communal balconies offer areas for group gatherings, small events, or quiet relaxation. At the top, a multifunctional indoor-outdoor pavilion anchors the rooftop garden, providing residents with a shared space offering panoramic views across Taichung.
This emphasis on shared environments creates a strong sense of community, responding to evolving housing expectations in Taiwan’s urban centers.
Floor Plan level 1. © MVRDV.
Floor Plans © MVRDV.
Organic Geometry and a Mosaic Façade
Soft curves and a mosaic of ceramic tiles in varying shades of white define the Island’s visual identity. Inspired by the techniques used by Antoni Gaudí, the façade features irregularly shaped tiles that seamlessly adapt to the building’s sculpted geometry.
- Larger ceramic pieces are used on flat surfaces
- Smaller fragments are applied to tight curves
- Tone variations create a subtle, dynamic pattern as daylight moves across the tower
This mosaic finish not only complements the building’s organic form but also ensures long-term durability and easier maintenance, which is particularly important in Taiwan’s humid climate.
Ceramic mosaic tiling adapts to every contour, allowing the tower’s organic form to be realized. © MVRDV.
Circular Strategies and Material Reuse
The project introduces sustainability not only through planting but also through the reuse of materials. The existing 13-storey building on the site must be demolished due to outdated seismic standards. Instead of discarding its materials, MVRDV proposes salvaging its stone elements and reusing them as floor finishes in the new tower.This form of circular construction reduces waste, lowers embodied carbon, and contributes to a more resource-efficient building process.
Combined with the ceramic façade, extensive planting, and biodiversity-focused design, The Island offers an environmentally responsive model for new residential developments in Taiwan.
The rooftop garden forms a green crown at the top of the tower. © MVRDV.
Archirev's Insight
The Island illustrates how simple regulatory incentives, such as more greenery and outdoor space, can become drivers of architectural expression. In a district shaped by efficiency and speed, MVRDV’s design adds nuance, softness, and ecological intention. By merging organic curves with a mosaic façade and a multi-layered planting strategy, the tower sets an example for how mid-rise housing can remain compact yet still feel generous, connected to nature, and socially engaging.
Project Plans
