A French architect has realized his dream of creating energy-efficient buildings that “consume” CO2.
According to CNN, French architect Vincent Callebaut, who is passionate about combating global warming, expressed: “I want to bring hope for a better tomorrow.” His vision has evolved from a design on paper to a striking real-world structure.
Design of the Tao Zhu Yin Yuan building.
Located in the Xinjin District, the heart of Taipei, Tao Zhu Yin Yuan (桃竹隐园) is a highly popular mixed-use development featuring a hotel and residential apartments, celebrated for its unique design. The building also offers numerous amenities such as a club, swimming pool, gym, and a rooftop helipad.
This surreal structure was designed by Vincent Callebaut Architecture on a site of 42,705 m², with construction beginning in 2013 and completed in 2018. It stands 21 stories tall, comprising 42 apartments, and reaches a height of 87 meters.
The surreal Tao Zhu Yin Yuan building.
The design prototype of the Tao Zhu Yin Yuan building is based on the double helix structure of human DNA, creating a unique shape that stands out from its surroundings.
The building’s structural system includes a very rigid central core with two cantilevers at the rooftop resembling a skier with a straight back and outstretched arms. This provides excellent earthquake resistance and maximum flexibility for the residential floors, allowing two apartment units to merge without any connecting bridge.
The prototype of the building is based on the double helix structure of human DNA.
Notably, each floor of the building is designed to rotate 4.5 degrees clockwise relative to the floor below, totaling a 90-degree rotation across the 21 floors. This results in a transformation of shapes from various angles, appearing as a pyramid, a cross, an inverted cone, an ellipse, and at times resembling a giant heart.
To ensure environmental friendliness and respect, all open spaces of the building, such as the ground-level garden, rooftop, and each apartment’s balcony, are adorned with 23,000 trees. This figure is nearly five times higher than local regulations, helping to absorb about 130 tons of carbon dioxide annually, turning the building into a vibrant urban forest park.
Tao Zhu Yin Yuan building is covered with greenery.
Additionally, the Tao Zhu Yin Yuan building features a natural lighting and ventilation system. The roof integrates solar panels over an area of 1,000 m², generating electricity from sunlight for the building’s power grid. Rainwater is also collected and recycled from the roof for daily use. Thanks to these natural energy sources, the building further reduces its carbon dioxide emissions by 35 tons each year.
Over the years, architect Callebaut has been actively involved in the green building sector, producing eco-friendly designs such as floating gardens to clean rivers in Europe and underwater buildings made from marine waste…
