MulvannyG2 Architecture’s project, Aquapearl in Taipei, Taiwan, was honored by Cityscape Asia 2009 as the “Best Mixed-use Development -Future” on May 20, 2009 at the annual conference in Singapore.
Aquapearl is being developed by The Global Team Group and is the largest urban redevelopment project in Taiwan. Cityscape Asia received over 250 entrees across the Asia Pacific region for the “Best Mixed-use Development—Future” award category. This award recognizes architects and developers that incorporate sustainable elements into building design, while being sensitive to the local culture and the natural environment. “Aquapearl is a project that genuinely demonstrates MulvannyG2’s compelling desire to deliver relevant design.” said MulvannyG2 Principal Greg Carpenter. “By creatively responding to the aspirations of our client, civic stakeholders and community members, MulvannyG2 was able to provide a design solution that creates a delightful civic gathering place, a premier residential address and an exciting retail and entertainment destination that is certain to become an outstanding commercial success.”
In January, 2008, the Taipei government passed a new plan called “Good Looking Taipei 2010” to encourage developers to make Taipei a beautiful place to live. Revitalizing the Songjian District is a collaboration between The Global Team Group, MulvannyG2 Architecture, the city of Taipei, and over 300 property owners. The project site area is over 146,000 square feet, and the design proposal consists of three stories of commercial space and six residential towers ranging in height from 10 to 25 stories with 463 units.
The major organizing element in the master plan, the Aquapearl Sunken Plaza, accentuates an existing site amenity, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) subway connection. This plaza serves to activate this connection point by incorporating retail, an outdoor performance stage, and lush landscape gardens at the subway level. It also serves as an active hub between the many public plazas placed throughout the project. The Sunken Plaza transforms an otherwise utilitarian space into an amenity for the entire community. As an iconic symbol that generates excitement and buzz amongst the surrounding neighborhoods, Aquapearl respects the culture by providing a civic identity and a community gathering place that reinvigorates the Songjiang District. “Our goal is to create a win-win situation for the land owners, the developer and the district.” said MulvannyG2 Architecture Principal Peter Lian. ”Aquapearl creates a drastic improvement in the quality of life for the current land owners by providing luxurious residences and a variety of public amenities, that also benefit the developer. The delicate balance of public space and residential density energizes the entire district.”
About MulvannyG2 Architecture
Founded in 1971, MulvannyG2 Architecture is among the top ten largest architecture firms in the U.S. (ranked by Building Design + Construction magazine). The firm designs office, retail, healthcare, and mixed-use facilities throughout the world. MulvannyG2 employs over 300 employees at offices in Bellevue, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Irvine, California; Washington, DC; and Shanghai, China. Worldwide clients include Hines, Gerding Edlen Development, OliverMcMillan, The Irvine Company, Costco Wholesale, Target, Coldwater Creek, The Kroger Company, Shanghai Investment Group, Huawei, and Fujian Provincial Power Company.
