Singapore-headquartered architecture practice Woha has completed Sky Green, its first project in Taichung, Taiwan. Commissioned by Taiwanese developer Golden Jade with Feng Chia University as an advisor, it is thought to be the first green and sustainable mixed-use development in the city.
Located in the heart of the city, Sky Green comprises two towers of residential apartments and retail shops, with various recreational facilities. Known for its biophilic and sustainability-oriented approach in which green landscaping is an important part, the firm conceptualised a green façade for the towers, in order to introduce nature into the high-rise living. In fact, “tower A apartments have extended balconies with trees and tower B apartments have a soft, green creeper mesh screen on their façade”, and skygardens at every five floors, underline the nature-inspired approach of the project. Adapted to the local culture, climate, earthquakes and typhoons emergencies, the design of the towers is very contextual.
“We are very happy to have been a part of this collaboration between policymakers, academia and the private sector to design the future of sustainable housing in Taichung. One building can’t change a city but we hope that Sky Green is the first of many more.” – Mun Summ Wong, founding director of WOHA.
“Working with WOHA on Sky Green has brought a global perspective to our company vision and sustainability goals. Sky Green was first conceptualised seven years ago and WOHA came on board a year later. Now, after five years of construction, we are happy to present the outcome of this collaborative effort to you.” — David Zhang, chairman of Golden Jade Corporation.
With projects spanning Singapore, India, Bangladesh, China, and Australia, WOHA was invited by the Taichung City Government and Feng Chia University back in 2012 to bring its exhibition “Breathing Architecture” to Taichung, part of an elaborate program to draft design principles to generate a greener, more liveable city. The firm is known for its award-winning biophilic projects such as Park Royal on Pickering and Kampung Admiralty.
Photos: © Koumin Lee
