The Songshan Yulin Yuan Community in Taipei has taken an innovative step by commissioning OMA to rethink their aging housing complex. In this ambitious project, OMA aims to defy the typical sales-driven urban renewal approach, focusing instead on preserving the area’s cherished spatial habits, greenery, and collective lifestyle. Set against the backdrop of Taipei’s 1960s planned neighborhoods, the initiative seeks to balance increased density with the community’s existing values.
Innovative Design: How OMA Transforms Taipei with Four Interlocking Slabs
OMA transforms the existing structure into two 24-story residential towers, featuring four interlocking slabs. These slabs are arranged to maximize north-south facades, allowing natural light and ventilation to penetrate deeply into the residence. This design continues the tradition of the neighborhood’s distinctive ‘front and rear balcony’ arrangement, ensuring that living spaces remain connected to the outdoors.
David Gianotten, Managing Partner at OMA, emphasizes the importance of this community-centric approach: “Rather than being commissioned by a developer, we were appointed directly by residents. The neighborhood is characterized by relatively low density and interconnected buildings. Our proposal adapts these elements into a modern framework for collective living.”
Building Connections with Public Platforms: How OMA Integrates Taipei
Connecting the towers with their surroundings, OMA introduces public platforms. A semi-open space on the second floor integrates with nearby parks for leisure and sports, while ground-level areas connect with schools and provide retail spaces. These communal areas are key to weaving the towers into the neighborhood’s fabric, enriching daily life.
Beneath the surface, a community living room provides quieter leisure spaces, while a central atrium floods the lower floor with natural light. Rooftop sky gardens provide panoramic views, creating a network of spaces that extend everyday life into the wider community.
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Reimagining Density: Neighborhood Preservation in the OMA Transformation
The Songshan Urban Renewal Residence rethinks how density and quality can coexist. Instead of isolating towers, the proposal integrates communal values like greenery and familiarity. Chiaju Lin, Project Director at OMA, notes, “We aim to increase density while preserving neighborhood character and residential quality. It’s an approach rarely seen in renewal projects.”
Though still in the design phase, the project’s engagement with residents signifies a shift towards community-driven urban renewal. Residents themselves have highlighted the need to maintain a connection to past patterns, and OMA’s stepped slabs, shared platforms, and community spaces reflect these aspirations.
About the Project
- Name: Songshan Urban Renewal Residence
- Architect: OMA | @oma.asia, @oma.eu, @omanewyork
- Client: Yulin Yuan Urban Renewal Residence
- Location: Taipei, Taiwan
- Site Area: 6,825 square meters
- Key Personnel: David Gianotten, Chiaju Lin, Gabriel Duarte
- Visualization by: Stefania Trozzi, Diego Iacono, Nevena Ivanovic
OMA’s innovative design reflects a profound respect for the community’s history while preparing it for the future, offering an exciting vision for urban renewal in densely populated Taipei. Their approach is characterized by creativity and sensitivity, ensuring the new development is both forward-thinking and respectful of the city’s unique character.
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Sources & Links
Source: designboom.com
Frequently asked questions
Who was commissioned to redesign the Songshan Towers?
OMA was commissioned to rethink Taipei’s Songshan Yulin Yuan Community housing complex, focusing on community-centric urban renewal.
What is the main design feature of the new Taipei towers?
The main design feature of the new Taipei towers is the arrangement of four interlocking slabs in two 24-story residential towers, maximizing natural light and ventilation while maintaining the neighborhood’s tradition of ‘front and rear balcony’ living spaces.
How does the Songshan project blend with the neighborhood?
The Songshan project incorporates public platforms, such as semi-open spaces on the second floor, ground-level areas for leisure and retail spaces, and a central atrium, to weave the towers into the neighborhood’s fabric and enrich daily life.