TAO ZHU YIN YUAN, by Vincent Callebaut Architectures

THE LEED PLATINUM REDISDENTIAL TOWER, TAIPEI, TAIWAN

THE RESIDENTIAL TOWER IS RANKED BY CNN AMONG THE WORLD'S TOP NINE URBAN LANDMARKS & ACHIEVES THE LEED PLATINUM BD+C CERTIFICATION (LEADERSHIP IN ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN, BUILDING DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION).

In July’s 2024 "Project of the Month" feature edited by "USGBC North Asia", the Tao Zhu Yin Yuan residential project takes center stage. We invite you to read below this very detailed article written by the U.S. Green Building Council North Asia to delve into its sustainable initiatives, which include:

• The project's distinctive double-helix structure, which maximizes green coverage, enabling the building to absorb up to 130 tons of carbon dioxide annually.

• A "right plant, right place" philosophy, ensuring that local, adaptive plant species were selected, significantly reducing the need for manual irrigation. Additionally, the rainwater harvesting system can store up to 500 tons of water, enough to meet all irrigation needs.

• Custom-designed rooftop solar panels, installed at optimal angles for the building's unique structure, are expected to generate around 40,000 kWh of electricity annually.

"In the case of Tao Zhu Yin Yuan, we witness the future trends in architecture and residential development: a greater focus on biodiversity conservation, energy self-sufficiency, and the quality of life for residents/users. These trends align seamlessly with the direction of LEED v5's evolution and reflect the forward-thinking vision of its designers and builders, which contributed to achieving LEED Platinum certification. Its success will undoubtedly drive more urban residential projects toward ecological friendliness and sustainability. It will also inspire architects and developers to adopt innovative approaches to minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings." Stella Cai, Senior Manager of Market Transformation & Development, North Asia, USGBC (U.S. Green Building Council)

In 2016, Taipei's Tao Zhu Yin Yuan was listed among CNN's nine global city landmarks, standing out as the only residential project. Its unique design, reminiscent of a butterfly spreading its wings, is not only visually stunning but also celebrated for its exceptional environmental performance. Visiting Tao Zhu Yin Yuan, one might expect a mere showcase of green technology and passive system, but it turns out to be a grand feast of architectural aesthetics, residential art, and long-term craftsmanship.

Tao Zhu Yin Yuan, located in a prime area of Taipei, is developed by Core Pacific Group, BES Engineering Corporation, and Asia Pacific Federation of Industry and Commerce. Foregoing pure profit motives, the developers aimed to create a residence that embodies the concepts of carbon absorption and climate resilience. The project is completed has become an architectural marvel. Its dedication to environmental sustainability, resilience, and optimal living experience earned it the prestigious LEED Platinum certification in 2023. After visiting the site, Andy To, Managing Director of U.S. Green Building Council North Asia, praised it highly: "Words cannot do it justice!"

1. A TREE IN THE CITY — NAMING A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING "TAO ZHU YIN YUAN"

Design: Concept and Achievements

Tao Zhu Yin Yuan, a name rich in ancient heritage, draws inspiration from the wisdom and loyalty of Fan Li, also known as Tao Zhu Gong, from the Spring and Autumn period. The name signifies the ideals of benefiting others and harmonious coexistence. Its form, inspired by the DNA double helix, symbolizes the source of life and vitality, aiming to recreate a natural ecosystem amidst the urban hustle and bustle, bringing the forest back to the city center and revitalizing it.

Occupying over 8,000 square meters, the project team resolutely chose the design by French architect Vincent Callebaut (Vincent Callebaut Architectures, Paris) to promote the harmonious coexistence of nature and architecture. Each floor of the building rotates 4.5 degrees, creating panoramic terraces. Each double-helix unit contains two apartments, with terraces transforming into 167 square meter private gardens. The rotating design allows trees to grow freely, with each terrace capable of accommodating up to seven trees, as well as shrubs, flowers, and vegetables according to residents' preferences, showcasing personalized greenery.

From bottom to top, the 21-story double-helix structure rotates 90 degrees, with the total terrace area exceeding 10,000 square meters, tripling the green space. This achievement makes Tao Zhu Yin Yuan a green miracle in the city. It is not just a residence but a profound interpretation of respect for nature and ecological friendliness.

The ingenious design of the rotating balconies at Tao Zhu Yin Yuan ensures that each floor bathes in sunlight while creating layered, rich plant landscapes. Throughout the changing seasons, the trees and shrubs display vibrant colors, transforming the building into a vertical forest teeming with life.

The ecological restoration has been remarkably effective. Tao Zhu Yin Yuan has become a habitat for various species, including blue magpies, fairy pittas, squirrels, and night herons, demonstrating its high-quality ecosystem. This urban giant tree also makes a significant contribution to carbon reduction, absorbing up to 130 tons of CO2 annually. It functions as a green air purifier in the city center, contributing to a healthier urban environment.

No one can resist such a residence—waking up to the sounds of birds and the fragrance of flowers, enjoying the changing seasons from the comfort of your home, and staying close to nature. In LEED standards, we always emphasize maximizing the connection between human activity spaces and natural spaces. For instance, in the version 4, the "Open Space" credit of "Sustainable Sites" category requires projects to provide outdoor natural space that accounts for more than 30% of the site, creating places for human-environment interaction, social interactions, recreation, and sports activities.

Looking ahead to LEED v5, this emphasis will extend to indoor spaces as well. The "Indoor Environmental Quality" category of LEED v5 BD+C will introduce a new credit, "Connecting with Nature", encouraging biophilic design elements indoors. This will foster connections with nature within indoor spaces, enhancing the overall well-being of the occupants.

Operations: The Maintenance of Vertical Forests

Dr. Feng-Chun Jan, a renowned "tree doctor," was specially hired by Tao Zhu Yin Yuan to carefully select tree species suited to Taipei's unique environment. By combining microclimate analysis, health diagnostics, and soil improvement, the project ensures that the right trees are planted in the right places, balancing both landscape and ecological functions. The team also selected high-carbon-absorbing trees, contributing to global environmental efforts. Each tree and every inch of soil were meticulously chosen and nurtured.

Addressing soil challenges, Tao Zhu Yin Yuan spent six months selecting and improving soil, incorporating distinctive microorganisms from Yangmingshan. This approach revitalized the soil, making it more adaptable to Taipei's environment and meeting the needs of plant growth. This effort has set a new benchmark for vertical and rooftop greening.

Tao Zhu Yin Yuan employs sophisticated sunlight, water, and air management techniques. By using light and heat analysis to simulate the urban microclimate, the team meticulously selects vegetation to ensure ecological balance on balconies and rooftop gardens. Given Taiwan's frequent typhoons, the team conducts wind and rain tests on trees and shrubs, simulating extreme weather conditions to select wind-resistant and drought-tolerant species. Additionally, they optimize anchoring methods to ensure tree stability, protecting the building and minimizing disaster-related losses.

Tao Zhu Yin Yuan is meticulous in tree transplantation and maintenance, employing stainless steel troughs and other stabilization techniques to prevent tree roots from damaging the building, thus ensuring the safety of waterproofing and insulation layers. Additionally, dedicated maintenance pathways are established to regularly inspect plant growth, document planting histories, and demonstrate deep care and meticulous attention to each plant.

The project skillfully applies the "right tree for the right place" principle by selecting native, adaptable plants to reduce irrigation needs. It is equipped with a high-efficiency rainwater harvesting system, capable of storing 500 tons of water. This system meets the irrigation needs of over 10,000 plants, promotes rainwater infiltration, replenishes groundwater, and effectively alleviates urban flooding issues.

In LEED standards, the requirements for vegetation include at least six species of native or adaptive plants, including at least two types of trees, shrubs, and ground cover plants. Additionally, projects must include at least 3 square meters of designated habitat as a pollinator garden, composed of native flowering plants (future v5 requirements will increase this to more than 15 native adaptive plants and a 10 square meter pollinator garden). Tao Zhu Yin Yuan has excelled in these practices and executions. However, extensive plantings inevitably increase daily maintenance and irrigation water needs. Thus, Tao Zhu Yin Yuan has meticulously selected plant species well-suited to Taipei's urban climate, significantly reducing water and maintenance requirements. Coupled with rainwater reuse for supplementary irrigation, the project achieves a 100% reduction in outdoor water use.

2. PEOPLE FIND COMFORT IN HOMES, HOMES VALUE PEOPLE

During our visit, we were particularly impressed by the project's focus and commitment to enhancing human experience. The team aims to make every person who enters Tao Zhu Yin Yuan feel as though they are returning to nature's embrace, experiencing a true sense of home. As a residential project that is deeply connected to daily life, how does Tao Zhu Yin Yuan address these aspects?

Architectural Resilience — Redefining Structural Strength for a Millennium of Endurance

Given the frequent earthquakes in Taiwan, Tao Zhu Yin Yuan places seismic resistance and isolation at the core of its design to ensure the safety of its residents. This dedication includes installing 68 deep foundation piles reaching 50 meters into the bedrock and 48 American-made EPS curved seismic isolation pads, along with rigorous seismic dynamic testing to ensure the building's stability and safety during earthquakes.

The project has also incorporated a unique "seismic isolation joint," which provides a space for the building to absorb and dissipate seismic energy during an earthquake. This joint not only enhances the building’s seismic resilience but also subtly introduces natural light and ventilation into the basement, achieving multiple benefits.

The main structure of Tao Zhu Yin Yuan is constructed from pure steel, using top-tier materials: SS steel frames, high-strength rebar, and steel equivalent to Taipei 101's SM570M and Tokyo Skytree's KBSA630 high-strength steel. These materials ensure high resilience and seismic resistance. The interior floors are designed to support increased loads and feature soundproofing, fire resistance, and rust prevention properties. The unique design and reinforced facilities ensure that the building remains structurally intact and safe even under a magnitude 7 earthquake.

In addition to earthquakes, typhoons and floods are significant climate-related risks in Taiwan. For wind and flood protection, each sky garden's plantings and floor-to-ceiling windows have been tested against high winds, with plantings and windows designed to withstand winds of up to level 12 and 17, respectively. The garden is also surrounded by two layers of flood barriers (a flood wall and a waterproof gate), with the first barrier 0.6 meters and the second barrier 1.3 meters higher than the road, raised by an additional 1 meter above the 200-year flood level in Taipei. These measures ensure the safety of residents during flooding events.

A home is a sanctuary that shields us from the storms of the world. Therefore, compared to commercial buildings, residential buildings should perhaps receive even greater focus and implementation in terms of resilience and disaster resistance. The construction of Tao Zhu Yin Yuan began in 2013, at a time when the project prioritized climate resilience and the protection of residents' lives and property. This forward-thinking approach has become even more valuable in today's era of increasingly frequent extreme weather events. It's worth noting that the new LEED v5 standards further incorporate extensive assessments and design requirements for building resilience, aiming to reduce health risks during catastrophic natural events and provide emergency response measures.

Living Experience — Health, Flexibility, Safety

Each unit in Tao Zhu Yin Yuan is designed with three sides of floor-to-ceiling windows that can open 270 degrees, allowing for rapid air circulation. The units are also equipped with advanced features such as a heat recovery ventilator, gesture and voice-controlled elevators, UV sterilization filters, and an indoor positive pressure system. Combined with humidity control and indoor air quality monitoring, these elements ensure better health for residents. Additionally, the ground-floor outdoor garden features natural waterfalls and forest trees, which produce phytoncides (plant antimicrobial substances), offering significant antiviral benefits in the era of living with pandemics.

The building's column-free design significantly enhances spatial flexibility for residents. The entire building employs a symmetrical structure, with a voided cross section every other floor, providing unobstructed openings. This design results in absolute column-free spaces on odd-numbered floors, increasing usable area by approximately 12 square meters compared to typical columned buildings. On even-numbered floors, only the edges of the building have visible columns, increasing usable space by about 6 square meters compared to conventional buildings. This not only expands the usable area for residents but also offers more expansive window views and greater flexibility in interior design. Homeowners can freely arrange functional areas within their units, with even the kitchen and bathroom adaptable to their needs.

During our visit, the project team highlighted one of the most striking features of Tao Zhu Yin Yuan: the 4.5-degree clockwise rotation. This design not only facilitates tree planting but also provides a disaster-responsive, island-like evacuation route. In the event of a violent threat, the ground-floor entrance is equipped with a vehicle barrier to prevent attacks. Additionally, the building features Taiwan's most advanced facial recognition cloud intercom system for enhanced security. The "safe rooms" within each unit are equipped with water, electricity, internet, and fresh air to ensure residents' safety. The top floor boasts Taiwan's first and only helipad, which can accommodate emergency rescue helicopters and may potentially be used for business flights in the future.

Tao Zhu Yin Yuan features a 25-meter dual-channel swimming pool located in the basement. The pool incorporates extensive glass panels to maximize natural light, creating a seamless integration with the outdoor waterfall, making the swim experience feel like a forest immersion. The project team conducted extensive research and gathered feedback from various stakeholders regarding the pool's landscape and design details, ensuring that every aspect is meticulously crafted to enhance the living experience for residents.

The health and comfort of residents are at the heart of Tao Zhu Yin Yuan's mission. The project team aimed to create the premier residential complex in downtown Taipei, focusing not only on optimizing the acoustic, visual, and thermal environments but also persistently addressing complex technical challenges. This process profoundly embodies LEED's "integrated design" philosophy. Over a decade, various stakeholders—including owners, designers, suppliers, and consultants—engaged in countless meetings and collaborations, jointly pursuing LEED's sustainability goals. Through continuous innovation and optimization, they ultimately achieved this residential landmark.

3. ONE SMALL STEP FOR CARBON ABSORPTION, ONE GIANT LEAP FOR COMBATING HEAT

"One small step for carbon absorption, one giant leap for combating heat." This striking statement on the Tao Zhu Yin Yuan website represents the project's commitment to combating global warming. But how is this commitment translated into practice?

Energy Efficiency and Carbon Reduction in Operation

Tao Zhu Yin Yuan stands out by integrating ecological landscaping into its balcony design, allowing residents to enjoy gardening and planting, and even create diverse spaces such as children's splash pools. This design not only enhances aesthetic appeal but also provides insulation and cooling during the hot summer months. With a green space coverage of 246%, the dense shrubs and trees effectively block heat waves, reducing the surrounding temperature by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius and cutting air conditioning usage by up to 30% during peak summer, demonstrating the environmental and energy-saving benefits of green buildings.

The natural waterfalls in the public areas not only offer a visual feast but also contribute to health benefits. The evaporation of water combined with the fragrances of ferns, mosses, and trees releases negative ions, promoting physical and mental well-being. Additionally, the waterfalls significantly mitigate the urban heat island effect, with temperatures in the waterfall area being 8-9°C lower than the outdoors during the peak summer season.

Taipei Tao Zhu Yin Yuan employs a range of energy-saving and carbon-reducing measures with remarkable results. The exterior walls use hollow laminated glass and German aluminum thermal break materials to effectively block external heat, reducing air conditioning energy consumption. The building features a high window-to-wall ratio of 47.4%, and its 270-degree daylight design maximizes natural light, decreasing public electricity usage. The underground seismic isolation joints are designed to let in natural light, reducing the need for basement lighting. The entire building is equipped with LED lighting and an energy management system, saving 30-40% of energy. Additionally, high-tech energy-saving devices such as dual-effect heat pumps and elevator energy recovery systems have been integrated to promote a green living concept comprehensively.

In terms of renewable energy usage, the roof-mounted solar panels are custom-designed based on the building's specific requirements. With a capacity of 41.3 kilowatts, they are expected to generate around 40,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, sufficient to supply ten households. Moreover, the building's top is equipped with six wind turbines, producing 1,400 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, which can be used to power the building's public facilities.

Leading the Way in Embedded Carbon Design

Its innovative structure, high-strength steel, and seismic isolation design ensure a lifespan of a thousand years. This significantly reduces the carbon emissions associated with future demolition and reconstruction, cutting its carbon footprint by over ten times compared to traditional buildings. Additionally, the project uses more than 45% green building materials, setting a leading example in reducing embedded carbon.

A notable example is the shaded area beside the outdoor courtyard. The project utilizes fast-growing bamboo as both construction and decorative materials, creating a forest-like environment that fosters harmonious coexistence between people and their surroundings.