new documentary explores vincent callebaut’s innovative, carbon-absorbing tower in taipei

DOCUMENTING Vincent Callebaut’S Tao Zhu Yin Yuan tower

After 11 years of construction, Vincent Callebaut’s Tao Zhu Yin Yuan tower has established itself as a world-class sustainable architectural landmark in Taipei. As part of the series ‘Building Icons’, Discovery Channel takes viewers inside the twisting, gravity-defying residential tower to unveil all the innovations behind it. The documentary follows the Belgian-born, Paris-based architect’s project from concept to construction and completion, highlighting the unique features that have placed it among the greatest examples of contemporary Taiwanese architecture.

image © Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc

full header video © Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc

INSIDE TAIPEI’S TWISTING, CARBON ABSORBING RESIDENTIAL TOWER

‘Building Giants: Tao Zhu Yin Yuan’ explores Vincent Callebaut Architectures’ 21-story tower and its pioneering concept of sustainable residential eco-construction. Located in central Taipei’s Xinjin district, the building incorporates green energy and construction methods to achieve a limited ecological footprint. From the DNA-inspired double helix shape that constitutes the code of life to the high-level earthquake-proof specifications, the project’s various technical construction methods are achieved in a friendly and sustainable way that respects nature. Upon competition, ‘Tao Zhu Yin Yuan’ is one of the examples leading the way for the construction industry to incorporate energy-saving, carbon-reducing and carbon-absorbing thinking. For more details on the project watch the documentary above and see designboom’s previous coverage here, here and here.

image © Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc