MVRDV, in collaboration with Nanhai Development Company, has unveiled the design plan for the Taipei Twin Towers project. This initiative aims to reinvigorate the urban energy around Taipei Central Station. The towers feature a distinctive design composed of “staggered stacked boxes,” creating a vertical urban community. Each box serves as a canvas for a series of interactive facade media, enabling dynamic visual communication.
Envisioned as “Taiwan’s Times Square,” the project aims to become a vibrant and attractive destination for locals and visitors alike. It seeks to transform the Taipei Central Station area into a premier hub for retail, work, and tourism within the city.
The Taipei Twin Towers are strategically situated above the city’s main station, integrating seamlessly with the railway, airport line, and subway networks. Developed by Nanhai Company, the new construction will rise above the existing station while unifying and renovating the surrounding squares with a cohesive design language.
MVRDV’s design features two towers in harmony with the urban scale. Each tower consists of multiple smaller square volumes stacked upon a podium made of variously sized boxes. This podium visually impacts pedestrians, offering a dynamic streetscape experience. Each retail brand within the podium has its own dedicated space, showcased through illuminated external facades that highlight their unique identities.
Project Square
The upper sections of the development comprise two towers, standing at 337 meters and 280 meters respectively. These larger volumes emphasize the building’s identity from afar and house offices, cinemas, and two hotels. The east tower targets younger, trendier tourists, while the west tower caters to the luxury market.
A sunken plaza at the ground level reflects the site’s historical significance, creating a unique public space. The towers not only emphasize the original station’s geographic importance but also transform the area into an “archaeological research site,” celebrating Taipei’s rich historical and cultural heritage.
Retail Area Layout
Retail Area Circulation
The retail section is organized around a central public atrium designed to maximize the efficiency of passive ventilation. External walkways and escalators connect the atrium to a rooftop terrace, providing additional paths for visitors to explore the stores. This layout offers a unique vertical shopping experience, encouraging exploration throughout the building.
Rendering
The elevated walkway connecting the station will serve as the project’s focal point. MVRDV is considering two designs for this element: one running straight through the entire site, and another weaving through the surrounding clustered blocks. Both options link to an extensive network of escalators and sidewalks, enhancing pedestrian circulation.
Concept Generation Analysis
Project Information
Project Name: Taipei Twin Towers
Architectural Design: MVRDV
Location: Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan
Owner: Nanhai Development Company
Building Area: 434,000 square meters
Project Function: Mixed-use complex (office, retail, hotel)
Project Leader: Winy Maas
Collaborator: Wenchian Shi (BIM)
Joint Construction Team: CHY Architecture Urban Landscape
Landscape Design: TOPotek 1
Design Consultants: Vision Engineering, ARUP, RWDI, Mercury Fire Engineering Consulting
Must log in before commenting!
Sign Up