Urban Clouds Edifici Residencial by Ya-Yuan Design, Shanghefa Development

Urban Clouds Edifici Residencial by Ya-Yuan Design, Shanghefa Development is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award d'Or in Disseny d'Arquitectura, Edificació i Estructures Competition Category.

OrArquitectura· 2025

Urban Clouds Edifici Residencial

by Ya-Yuan Design, Shanghefa Development

Client: Ya-Yuan Interior Design Service Co

A' Design Award d'Or Winner in Arquitectura Category

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The Design

About Urban Clouds Edifici Residencial

Urban Clouds és un edifici residencial situat en un districte administratiu i cultural de Taiwan. L'estructura de quinze plantes s'aixeca sobre un solar de 1.078 metres quadrats, amb una superfície edificada de 756 metres quadrats. La coberta utilitza un disseny de gelosia que converteix la forma dels núvols en un patró bidimensional, desenvolupat amb mètodes paramètrics. La façana combina un sistema de bigues i pilars amb marbre beix-gris, petites rajoles de paret vidriades i vidre transparent. Una instal·lació metàl·lica al sostre del vestíbul representa el flux del vent i vincula l'edifici amb la natura.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award d'Or

Urban Clouds Edifici Residencial és un guanyador del guardó A' Design Award d'Or, un reconeixement immensament prestigiós concedit a dissenys de primera categoria, meravellosos i extraordinaris. Els guanyadors d'Or són creacions summament innovadores, molt visionàries i gloriosament enlluernadores que reflecteixen el prodigi, la saviesa i la destresa dels seus dissenyadors. Es preveu que Urban Clouds Edifici Residencial sigui un invent molt elogiat, pioner en tendències i monumental, que aporta un valor sense precedents. Aquest disseny guanyador del guardó A' Design Award d'Or és un projecte espectacular i respectat que beneficia molt i fa avançar els límits de l'art, la ciència, el disseny i la tecnologia. Urban Clouds Edifici Residencial crea sentiments intensos de desig, evoca passió, fomenta la creativitat i ens fascina.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The roof design of this project is a key feature, capturing the beauty of drifting clouds through a play of space and light. Using parametric methods, the cloud's three-dimensional form is transformed into a two-dimensional structure, creating varying visual effects throughout the day. The facade incorporates a complex beam and column system, achieving a refined modern architectural image. The first-floor lobby showcases an installation of metal units on the ceiling, visualizing the flow of wind, strengthening the connection with nature, and enhancing the urban experience with a serene atmosphere.
Dimensions & Packaging: The site spans 1,078 square meters, with a 756-square-meter building rising 15 stories. The exterior design takes a grand yet understated approach, with two volumes positioned at the front and rear to reduce the mass and add layers, enhancing the building's approachability. The interior layout is thoughtfully crafted for smooth flow and modern living needs. Every detail complies with building regulations, achieving a perfect balance of functionality and aesthetics, creating a space that is both efficient and visually appealing.
Tags: Clouds, Breeze, Natural Elements, Green Space, Environmentally Friendly Building Materials, Humanistic Education.
Production Technology: In terms of material selection, the designers prioritized refinement, followed by brightness. The extensive use of beige-gray marble, with its delicate veining, exudes a warm and gentle quality reminiscent of cloud layers. Complementing this is the silver-glimmering small-scale glazed wall tiles, which add a touch of starlight-like sparkle. Visually, the clean and clear lines, paired with the transparent glass, establish a harmonious play of light and shadow, enhancing the building's contours and creating a bright, warm, and textured living environment.
Design Challenge: The project presented unique challenges, as it was the team's first exterior design. While typical residential issues like space efficiency and regulations were not a concern, the predetermined floor plan limited flexibility in exterior adjustments. To overcome this, the designers embraced nature as the theme, using Grasshopper to translate the forms of clouds and wind into their design. While digital tools offered creative potential, the true challenge was translating the design into reality, which proved to be more demanding than the conceptual process itself.
Research: 'URBAN CLOUDS' is a contemporary urban residence that blends natural elements with modern design, offering a lifestyle rather than just a living space. Positioned between the sky and green spaces, it provides residents with a harmonious living experience, combining nature's beauty with the city's cultural essence. The project features three interconnected sections: a lattice design on the top floor, a beam and column system on the midsection, and a breeze-inspired art installation in the lobby, all carefully integrated to enhance urban living and connect with nature.
Inspiration: 'Urban Clouds,' located in the administrative and cultural district, blends modern architecture with cultural heritage. Situated within a vibrant cultural center and surrounded by expansive green spaces, the project emphasizes a high quality of life and strong cultural characteristics. The designers incorporate modern architectural elements to redefine urban living, creating a visually prominent yet understated residential space. The goal is to craft a grand architectural image that seamlessly harmonizes with the surrounding environment, offering both elegance and functionality.
Project Duration: The project finished in December 2023 in Taiwan.
Operation Flow: To bring a 'breeze' into the interior, the designers created an art installation in the lobby, evoking floating clouds and connecting the building with the city. This design allows people to feel the gentle breeze and witness the dynamic clouds, brightening the space and strengthening the connection to nature. At night, calibrated lighting enhances the building's charm, providing a cozy atmosphere while highlighting architectural features. This lighting ensures the building remains welcoming and elegant, standing out in its surroundings even after dark.
Team Members: Feng-Huang Pan, Anson Chen, Chun-Yao Hu, Jun-Kai Wang
Image Credits: OS studio, Rex Chu