Sensuous Garden | ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel

ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel presents the new mixed-use hotel residence "Sensuous Garden" in Taipei, Taiwan. Located in the city’s vibrant yet secluded Songshan district, the 23-story building articulates Italian notions of elegance, refinement and timelessness. ACPV ARCHITECTS oversaw the building’s architecture and the interior design of the residential portion, offering distinctive spaces designed in response to ever-changing demands.

The approx. 33,300-sqm tower rises in Taipei’s Financial District, at the intersection of Nanjing East Road and Guangfu North Road – one of Taipei’s most sought-after areas. Home to major enterprises and undergoing rapid development, the location offers convenient access to the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, Taipei Dome, Taipei Arena, National Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall and Taipei Songshan Airport. 

ACPV ARCHITECTS’ project for the mixed-use complex references Taiwanese tea culture. The building is enclosed in a reflective glass skin engraved with horizontal white lines that recall lush tea plantations. The tower’s shared spaces are styled after the bright, delicate qualities of Taiwan’s precious Oriental Beauty tea variety, reflecting its colors and rigorous production process. The building’s architecture combines the new hotel and the residential functions of the mixed-use development in pure design articulations. 

The 90-meter-high Sensuous Garden integrates a residential component comprising a ground-floor lobby, a gym on the floor above, a mix of residential units, 114 in total, and a rooftop garden. The shared spaces and two show flats are designed to feel spacious and anticipate the needs of residents and guests, inspiring effortless living. Combining simple volumes featuring large balconies that extend across the entire width of the building, Sensuous Garden’s architecture creates visual openness and encourages ease of movement. 

“The building’s architecture and interiors reinforce each other to create spaces that celebrate refined living,” says architect Antonio Citterio, Chairman and Co-founder of ACPV ARCHITECTS.

“We designed a sky garden on top of the building and an outdoor area at mid-height. These open, green spaces will offer new opportunities to take a walk in nature while enjoying panoramic views of the city,” adds architect Patricia Viel, Co-founder of ACPV ARCHITECTS.

The entrance hall of the mixed-use building is an exclusive, generously spaced 5-meter-high lobby area that welcomes residents and guests, providing access to the bar. A large window with a view of a private garden can be opened to extend the bar seating area to the outdoors, evoking an urban resort atmosphere. Responding to contemporary needs, the shared functions of the building – which include a bar, a library lounge area, a gym and a yoga room – can be enjoyed by residents and their guests alike.

“We paid particular attention to the details when designing the building’s interiors. From the furniture selection – featuring designs by Antonio Citterio – to the spatial proportions and the lighting solutions, each design choice was motivated by the desire to create spaces where people feel at home – even for temporary guests,” says Chung-Yi Yang, ACPV ARCHITECTS’ partner-in-charge for the shared spaces of Sensuous Garden’s residential portion.

The attentive choice of materials further highlights ACPV ARCHITECTS’ philosophy. The reception counter is made of Carrara marble from Italy, the lobby walls are covered with warm gray stone, the floor combines these two precious materials, and the custom-designed handrails reinforce the idea of a lively and visually harmonious space. In addition, metal elements are used to highlight the firmness of the stone elements that contrast gently with the fabrics’ smooth and warm colors.

“The new mixed-use building recalls the Milanese architectural culture of the 1960s-70s. The architectural language of the building and its interiors reference the works of Italian design masters such as Vico Magistretti,” adds Claudio Raviolo, ACPV ARCHITECTS’ partner-in-charge for Sensuous Garden’s architecture.

The new development is the latest addition to ACPV ARCHITECTS’ projects for Continental Development Corporation in Taiwan. Sensuous Garden follows the development of two residential high-rises in Taichung (Taiwan): the Treasure Garden residential tower that opened to residents in 2018 and the La Bella Vita tower that won the International Architecture Award in 2021.

CREDITS

Client: Continental Development Corp.

Design architect: ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel

Interior design (for the shared spaces of residential portion, excluding hotel interior design): ACPV ARCHITECTS Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel

Local architect: CHY Architects & Planners

Lighting design: Metis Lighting