MVRDV's "Market Cube" in Zhubei, Taiwan, is an innovative reimagining of the traditional market square, transforming it into a luminous, multi-level urban hub. This design serves as a market, food hall, and cultural space, aiming to become a central destination within the rapidly growing city of Zhubei.
1. What "Form" Did MVRDV Give to Market Cube in Zhubei, Taiwan?
MVRDV gave the Market Cube a stacked, cubic form, emphasizing vertical flexibility while preserving the openness of a traditional market square. The building acts as an urban condenser, consolidating multiple activities: market stalls, restaurants, and cultural spaces that into a single, layered volume. The cube-like form is both symbolic and functional, challenging conventional market typologies while providing a visually striking identity for the city.
Key elements of its form include:
- Pixelated, glass-enclosed exterior, creating a luminous effect that transforms the building into a beacon within the city.
- Flexible, open-plan floors that can be reconfigured to accommodate different functions over time.
- A vertical stacking approach, allowing the market experience to unfold upwards rather than spreading horizontally.
- Large terraces and rooftop spaces, offering additional public areas while reinforcing a connection with the surrounding urban fabric.
- Pixelated, glass-enclosed exterior, creating a luminous effect that transforms the building into a beacon within the city.
- Flexible, open-plan floors that can be reconfigured to accommodate different functions over time.
- A vertical stacking approach, allowing the market experience to unfold upwards rather than spreading horizontally.
- Large terraces and rooftop spaces, offering additional public areas while reinforcing a connection with the surrounding urban fabric.
2. How Did They Give This "Form"?
MVRDV’s approach to form-making for Market Cube was rooted in:
MVRDV’s approach to form-making for Market Cube was rooted in:
* Urban Analysis and Market Typology Evolution
MVRDV studied traditional market squares and adapted them into a high-density vertical model, recognizing the growing urban constraints of Zhubei. By stacking the functions vertically, the project preserves the communal vibrancy of an open market while maximizing land use.
MVRDV studied traditional market squares and adapted them into a high-density vertical model, recognizing the growing urban constraints of Zhubei. By stacking the functions vertically, the project preserves the communal vibrancy of an open market while maximizing land use.
* Transparency and Light
The use of a luminous, pixelated glass façade is a deliberate move to blend transparency, accessibility, and aesthetic presence. This feature ensures that even at night, Market Cube remains a glowing landmark.
The use of a luminous, pixelated glass façade is a deliberate move to blend transparency, accessibility, and aesthetic presence. This feature ensures that even at night, Market Cube remains a glowing landmark.
* Connectivity and Circulation
Instead of isolating the different floors, exterior escalators spiral around the cube, making the vertical journey feel seamless and engaging, much like an urban promenade.
Instead of isolating the different floors, exterior escalators spiral around the cube, making the vertical journey feel seamless and engaging, much like an urban promenade.
* Adaptability and Sustainability
The open-plan floors are designed to be easily reconfigurable, accommodating different uses over time. This future-proofing ensures the building remains relevant as urban demands evolve.
The open-plan floors are designed to be easily reconfigurable, accommodating different uses over time. This future-proofing ensures the building remains relevant as urban demands evolve.
3. Is It a Good Form for the Public?
Yes, Market Cube is an excellent form for the public because
Yes, Market Cube is an excellent form for the public because
* Human-Centered Design
The flexible open spaces encourage social interaction, commerce, and culture. The design prioritizes ease of movement, ensuring that the public can navigate the space fluidly.
The flexible open spaces encourage social interaction, commerce, and culture. The design prioritizes ease of movement, ensuring that the public can navigate the space fluidly.
* Urban Landmark and Identity
The cube’s illuminated presence provides a strong visual identity for Zhubei, making it a recognizable civic landmark that attracts both locals and tourists.
The cube’s illuminated presence provides a strong visual identity for Zhubei, making it a recognizable civic landmark that attracts both locals and tourists.
* Accessibility and Public Integration
The integration of open terraces and exterior escalators ensures accessibility and engagement at all levels, making the market experience intuitive and enjoyable.
The integration of open terraces and exterior escalators ensures accessibility and engagement at all levels, making the market experience intuitive and enjoyable.
* Sustainability and Climate Responsiveness
The translucent façade allows natural light to filter in, reducing the need for artificial lighting. The terraces and open-air spaces promote natural ventilation, reducing energy consumption.
The translucent façade allows natural light to filter in, reducing the need for artificial lighting. The terraces and open-air spaces promote natural ventilation, reducing energy consumption.
* Versatility for Community Needs
Market Cube is not just a market—it’s a cultural space, a social hub, and an economic catalyst. The adaptable design means it can host festivals, exhibitions, or even serve as a community gathering space.
Market Cube is not just a market—it’s a cultural space, a social hub, and an economic catalyst. The adaptable design means it can host festivals, exhibitions, or even serve as a community gathering space.
4. Will This Form Continue to Give in the Future?
Absolutely. The strength of Market Cube lies in its adaptability and visionary approach to urban markets. By prioritizing future-proofing strategies, MVRDV has ensured that Market Cube remains a dynamic urban space for generations.
Absolutely. The strength of Market Cube lies in its adaptability and visionary approach to urban markets. By prioritizing future-proofing strategies, MVRDV has ensured that Market Cube remains a dynamic urban space for generations.
* Resilience to Changing Needs
The open floor plans allow the space to evolve—future uses might include co-working spaces, educational centers, or even vertical farming.
The open floor plans allow the space to evolve—future uses might include co-working spaces, educational centers, or even vertical farming.
* Technological and Sustainable Relevance
The use of modular and lightweight materials, as well as the focus on natural light and ventilation, ensures that the building remains eco-conscious and energy-efficient over time.
The use of modular and lightweight materials, as well as the focus on natural light and ventilation, ensures that the building remains eco-conscious and energy-efficient over time.
* A Model for Future Marketplaces
Market Cube redefines how cities can integrate traditional marketplaces into a vertical, modern, and flexible format. It could become a blueprint for similar urban developments around the world.
Market Cube redefines how cities can integrate traditional marketplaces into a vertical, modern, and flexible format. It could become a blueprint for similar urban developments around the world.
Conclusion
MVRDV's "Market Cube" in Zhubei is a groundbreaking architectural statement, redefining how marketplaces can function in dense urban settings. Its bold cubic form, transparency, and adaptability make it a vital public space that seamlessly integrates commerce, culture, and community.
MVRDV's "Market Cube" in Zhubei is a groundbreaking architectural statement, redefining how marketplaces can function in dense urban settings. Its bold cubic form, transparency, and adaptability make it a vital public space that seamlessly integrates commerce, culture, and community.
As a formgiver, this project is an inspiring case study in balancing innovation with public needs. Market Cube is not just a building—it’s an evolving entity that will continue to enrich Zhubei’s urban fabric for decades to come. This is a form that gives, and will keep on giving.
Site Analysis & Programming
