MVRDV’s “The Island” brings an organic green presence to Taichung

MVRDV has secured construction approval for The Island, a 21-story residential tower in Taichung, Taiwan, conceived as an urban retreat where greenery shapes both the architecture and the experience of living. The project introduces a vertical landscape to the city, expressed through soft contours, planted terraces, and a façade finished in a mosaic of irregular ceramic tiles inspired by Antoni Gaudí.

The tower will contain 76 apartments above two floors dedicated to commercial spaces and shared amenities, including a communal dining room, lounge, and karaoke area. Designed for middle-class residents, particularly young couples, the scheme places generous communal spaces at its core. A roof garden crowns the building with a layered green canopy that encloses a multifunctional space for residents. Five communal balconies are positioned across the 21 levels, each forming a three-story recess in the façade to offer a sense of openness and connection.

The Island responds directly to Taichung’s livable building regulations, which encourage abundant outdoor space and planting. Situated between the North and Beitun districts, the site once marked the city’s edge but now sits within a dense commercial neighborhood shaped by rapid urbanization. MVRDV’s design aims to counter this condition by establishing a pocket of nature within the urban fabric.

Planting is integrated at every scale. Street-level greenery is paired with 104 private planted balconies and 38 standalone façade planters. The selection of species reflects the botanical richness of Taichung province, reinforcing the project’s role as a vertical ecosystem. Sustainability also drives the scheme. The site currently hosts a 13-story commercial building that no longer meets Taiwan’s updated seismic regulations and will be demolished. Rather than discard its materials, the new construction will reuse what it can, including salvaged stone from existing walls and floors that will be incorporated as interior flooring.

The building’s identity is defined by its organic curves, enabled by the ceramic façade. The mosaic of small, irregular tiles allows the surface to follow every bend. Larger pieces appear on flatter areas while a finer texture wraps the tighter curves. The result is a tactile, luminous skin that references Gaudí yet feels distinctly contemporary, offering both visual richness and ease of maintenance.

According to MVRDV founding partner Jacob van Rijs, the project introduces “a soft touch in a city full of boxes.” Within the constraints of Taiwan’s standardized residential layouts, he sees character emerging through detail: the gentle geometry, the Gaudí-like finish, and the integration of greenery as a continuous living system.

Credits
Architect: MVRDV
Founding Partner in charge: Jacob van Rijs
Director: Gideon Maasland
Head of Taiwan: Hui Hsin Liao
Design Team: Laura Petroncini, Mark van Wasbeek, Herng Tzou, Veronica della Ventura, Piotr Janus, Francesca Cambi, Olly Veugelers, Lorenzo Mennuti, Joyce de Louw, Nicola Panico, Renata Lopes Tavares
Visualization: Antonio Luca Coco, Luana La Martina, Angelo La Delfa, Lorenzo D’ Alessandro, Ciprian Buzdugan, Stefano Fiaschi; Teresa Papachristou (Graphic Design)
Copyright: MVRDV Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries