This 21-Story Tower Has 104 Green Balconies Inspired by Gaudi - Yanko Design

"The façade takes direct inspiration from Antoni Gaudí's mosaic techniques, wrapping white ceramic tiles of varying sizes around flowing curves. Larger pieces cover flat surfaces while finer, granular patterns smooth out tighter bends. This careful choreography maintains continuity across every undulation, creating a sculptural presence that shifts in the light and glows against the surrounding commercial blocks. The Island earns its name through sheer commitment to greenery."

"The 9,000-square-meter development packs in 104 private balconies with planted areas, five communal three-story balconies, and 38 standalone façade planters. Street-level planting connects the building to the ground, while a rooftop garden terrace crowns the structure. The plant selection mirrors the biodiversity of Taichung province, turning the tower into a living catalog of regional flora. Each communal balcony carves out a three-story recess that brings depth to the façade while offering planted terraces with sweeping views over the city."

MVRDV's The Island is a 21-story residential tower at the junction of Taichung's North and Beitun districts that contrasts with Taiwan's typical boxy residential architecture. The façade uses Gaudí-inspired mosaic techniques with white ceramic tiles of varying sizes, placing larger pieces on flat surfaces and finer, granular tiles on tighter curves to maintain continuity across every undulation. The 9,000-square-meter development integrates 104 private planted balconies, five communal three-story planted balconies, 38 standalone façade planters, street-level planting, and a rooftop garden terrace. Plant selection mirrors Taichung province biodiversity, creating a living catalog of regional flora and offering residents sweeping views from recessed three-story communal terraces. The green program responds to local liveable building regulations and softens the hard edges of the surrounding dense commercial neighborhood.

Read at Yanko Design - Modern Industrial Design News