The site is located in the Xizhi district of New Taipei City, set on a river island defined by the intersection of Freeways No. 1 and No. 3 to the south and east, and a sweeping bend of the Danshui River to the north and west. The location offers generous views in all directions, though development is partially constrained by existing high-voltage power lines and towers.

The masterplan organizes the neighborhood along a ring road that traverses the island. At its center, two buildings and a linear park form the heart of the new community. Each residential building is tailored to slightly different target groups, encouraging a diverse mix of ages and lifestyles and creating a vibrant, multi-generational environment.

While Building A4 was developed a little later than building A3, both marked the start of the residential development of the neighborhood. Though column grid and floorplan differed greatly, the building massing of building A4 articulate strong almost tower like corners where we unified the two buildings using the same architectural language. The same exterior system of pilasters was applied allowing the envelope to follow simple, coherent design principles. The deep pilasters and columns are hiding service balconies whiles still achieve self-shading of the building, reducing solar heat gain, an effective strategy of passive, climate-responsive design. The north and south façades show a deep reveal in the building massing and are oriented to the best views of the site. A pattern of altering balconies takes advantage of the views. The recess on the south is defined as a grand entrance gesture and a space where a freestanding oversized frame serves as the entrance canopy.

The façade openings were designed to serve multiple functions for residents. To create a unified appearance, we selected a reflective exterior finish that helps mitigate heat. Within the recessed areas, all window frames, balustrades, railings, and related elements share a dark tone matching the façade tiles. This reduces visual clutter and strengthens the contrast between the light outer surface and the deep, dark recesses—a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional Chinese ivory carvings that lends the building a distinctive cultural identity within its Taiwanese context.

The required “rain shields” were integrated by articulating the pilasters in a double-story rhythm, giving the façade a slender, elegant expression while naturally subdividing the openings. Additional balconies were placed within these double-height recesses and clad in dark metal panels and fins, providing outward views while preserving privacy for residents.