The Modern City high-rise residence

"I was once suspicious of the meaning of my job when I was faced with the square-shaped towers of Modern City. It was the first time for me to design residential apartments; I didn't want to approach it as simple packaging. Looking at the plane the developer had marked, I lost ideas, however, the hints my teacher once told me came to my mind--designing begins from discovering the problem." Cui Kai

The focus on the basic problem of residence is seen as the beginning of the residential designing. However, the pursuit of outer form often makes for the opposite. Here the ‘function' is the only standard to judge the form. Balconies became awkward by reason of environment and distribution-a grounded bay window improved the living sight. The ground floor is hard to sell because of the limited views and lack of privacy, however, individual entrance flower platforms are included to create a "villa" feeling. Tenents are able to enjoy open air and and sunshine at the building's top level, solving the problem of an outer platform that would not be useable due to strong winds and security issues. Air conditioners located on the outside of the building and the release of coagulate water is a common problem that destroys building appearance. Instead girder slots and pilasters were designed as a new formal language. The use of colour in the architecture is not only for aesthetic purpose, but also to point the way home in a crowded city skyline.

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