In a world of rigid glass rectangles, Dutch architecture firm MVRDV is throwing us a curveball. Or rather, thousands of them.
Meet “The Island,” a 21-story residential tower set to rise in Taichung, Taiwan. Unlike its boxy neighbors, this structure is an undulating, organic mass that looks less like a building and more like a cliffside overgrown with nature.
The Vibe is Gaudí Meets Greenery
The most striking feature isn’t just the lush vertical gardens spilling off the balconies, it’s the skin of the building itself. Wrapped in a bespoke mosaic of white ceramic tiles, the façade pays direct homage to Catalan master Antoni Gaudí.
The tiles hug every curve and fold of the structure, creating a fluid, shimmering surface that feels handmade rather than factory-stamped.
More Than Just Apartments
MVRDV founding partner Jacob van Rijs calls it “a soft touch in a city full of boxes.” But it’s also a social experiment.
Sky-High Hangouts: The tower features five massive, three-story “sky decks” carved into the façade, designed to pull residents out of their units and into shared spaces.
Amenities: It wouldn’t be a modern Asian high-rise without perks. Residents get a communal dining room, a lounge, and yes, it has a dedicated karaoke room.
Smart Recycling
The site was previously occupied by a commercial building that couldn’t survive new earthquake regulations. Instead of trashing the rubble, MVRDV is salvaging the old stone walls and floors to repurpose as flooring for the new tower.
It’s quirky, it’s green, and it proves that high-density living doesn’t have to feel like life in a filing cabinet.
The building plans to get underway shortly, opening in 2028 or 2029. Renderings via MVRDV.
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