Kaohsiung, Taiwan
European Prize for Architecture Laureates Mecanoo Architekten and Chao Architects have unveiled their plans for a groundbreaking social housing project in Kaohsiung, representing the city’s first foray into communal living solutions.
It is an initiative that aims to tackle the urgent demand for affordable housing and highlights the importance of shared spaces in improving residents’ quality of life.
The complex is set to feature 245 units, catering to a diverse group of occupants including young couples, families with children, students, and the elderly, showcasing a commitment to inclusivity and community engagement.
This project is centered on an inclusive design scheme as it establishes a new benchmark for communal living, emphasizing community empowerment and architectural ingenuity in Kaohsiung and beyond.
The unique triangular shape of the plot has influenced the design of two buildings linked by a green canopy that wraps around a central courtyard, acting as the main entrance for residents.
Commercial areas located along the ground floor perimeter aim to invigorate street life and energize the building’s surrounding public spaces.
The majority of the apartments are located in the east building, whereas the west tower is dedicated to a mixed-use program, combining social facilities with residential units.
Additionally, a sky park serves as a communal gathering space open to the public, fostering interaction between residents and the broader community.
A dynamic arrangement of vertical elements and windows introduces diverse rhythms to the facade, adding a playful aesthetic.
The space created between the building’s structure and its external walls acts as a buffer, casting shadows that not only enhance the visual appeal but also minimize solar heat gain within the apartments, contributing to a more comfortable and energy-efficient living environment.
In stark contrast to the typical Taiwanese housing blocks, where facade materials are often used uniformly to cover walls, columns, and slabs, Mecanoo’s design approach for this social housing project emphasizes a distinct separation between structure and walls.
Opting for green and white colored ceramic tiles to fill the structural grid coated in stucco creates a striking visual contrast.
These colored tiles, a material commonly used in Taiwanese architecture, are arranged in a unique composition that establishes the development’s visual identity, blending traditional elements with a modern design ethos.
Project: Kaohsiung Housing Complex
Architects: Mecanoo Architecten
Local Partners: Chao Architects
Structural Engineers: Supertek
Photographers: Ethan Lee
