Emerald Mansion

The project is located in the southwestern corner of the 14th Redevelopment Zone in Taichung City, situated to the west of both the Shuinan Ecological Park and the Mayuantou River. It sits adjacent to the historic Shuinan Tobacco Building. The building has a frontage of approximately 33 metres and rises to 18 storeys. In terms of planning, the tower volume is strategically placed in the north-western corner of the site to maximise the distance from the Shuinan Tobacco Building, thereby avoiding any overshadowing and minimising the new development’s potential impact on this historic structure. The main open space on the site is positioned to the south, maintaining an unobstructed visual corridor from the junction of Yonghe Lane and Shuilian Street towards the heritage building.

The building employs a framework structure to articulate the interplay between solid and void on its façades. A sculptural brown metallic frame, designed with a textured finish to span three dimensions, is embedded into the tower’s massing. This frame extends upward into the rooftop, forming angular surfaces that contribute to a dynamic and multi-layered skyline. The frame divides the longitudinal elevation asymmetrically: one side features clearly defined horizontal beams and livable, staggered balconies integrated within the complete façade structure, blending solidity with permeability. The opposite side presents a progression from void to mass — transitioning from open horizontal bands into more solidly expressed planter volumes that eventually merge with the main tower mass.

The façade design demonstrates thoughtful consideration of the neighbouring Shuinan Tobacco Building. Drawing from the historic structure’s palette of dark grey roof tiles and white rendered walls, this new development adopts a restrained materiality featuring dark and light grey ceramic cladding tiles. This approach ensures the new building blends harmoniously into the urban fabric surrounding the heritage site.

 Perforated metal panels with etched tobacco leaf vein motifs are applied at key points — the base of the tower, the rooftop frame, and the protruding bathroom volumes adjacent to the master bedrooms. These motifs are designed to evoke collective memory of Shuinan’s once-thriving tobacco industry.

Further referencing the past, the gable ends to the east and west, as well as the rooftop three-dimensional frames, are finished in a weathered-look brown metallic coating that mimics the patina of corten steel. This finish imparts a sense of time-worn texture, fostering a visual and material conversation between new and old.

Inspired by the meandering form of the nearby Mayuantou River, the ground-level landscape design features curved, multi-tiered planters. At the base of these features, a landscaped stream element has been incorporated within the site to reflect the presence of the neighbouring watercourse. This water feature extends beyond the site’s louvred boundary wall and transitions into an arcing grey stone-paved surface, reinforcing the project’s sensitivity to the area’s historical context.

At the south-western corner of the site, a large open public space is reserved, offering residents and passers-by a rest area equipped with public artworks and seating. In the north-western corner, in consideration of a century-old banyan tree across the street, a key specimen tree is planted to complement the street plaza, allowing the two trees to form a natural frame that defines a civic space through green dialogue.

In terms of vertical greening, staggered balconies are planted with small trees such as frangipani and white-flowered barringtonia, selected for their suitability on high-rise balconies. Additional planting boxes and vertical green walls are integrated into other units, producing a rich, layered façade that enhances the ecological character of the site.

Given the site’s immediate proximity to the historic Shuinan Tobacco Building, the lighting scheme intentionally avoids excessive brightness to preserve the quality of the night-time environment. Instead, the design adopts a subtle and respectful approach, using warm-toned lighting to accentuate the rooftop sculptural frames and perforated metal panels. Warm white LED lighting is also delicately applied to balconies along the northern and southern façades, softly revealing the architectural narrative after dusk.

At ground level, the tobacco-leaf-patterned perforated panels are lit with warm lighting, coordinated with the overall landscape illumination. Together, they create a night-time ambience that is both distinctive and imbued with a sense of historical memory.

Location: Taichung, Taiwan

Project Type: Residential Tower Project

Status: Construction commenced in 2025

Service Provided: Building Facade Design, Landscape Design, Interior Design for Public Amenities, Facade Lighting Design