MVRDV designs a tower with a twist

MVRDV has good form for producing visually-interesting architecture (take the Glass Farm and Rotterdam Markthal, for example). The Dutch firm is set to continue this trend with a new tower in Vienna that twists dramatically, to produce an almost hourglass-like shape.

The mixed-use building features a steel and glass facade and appears to be named Turm Mit Talle (which Google Translate tells us is Tower With Metals) – though this may prove a working title. It will be located in vicinity of Vienna's historic Gasometers, and rise to a total height of 110 m (360 ft).

The interior comprises 35,000 sq m (375,000 sq ft) of floor space, split between a mixture of high-end apartments and office spaces, in addition to a retail space, restaurants, and cafes. The interior of the lower 10 floors twists with the building's shape, while the 20 remaining floors of the tower are laid out in a square shape. Operable windows and French doors will encourage natural ventilation, and external stairs offer access to outdoor areas.

MVRDV reports that the tower's twisting shape serves a definite practical purpose. Building regulations required a trapezoidal tower rising to no more than 75 m (246 ft) in height, but the firm pushed for a taller and more compact building. Apparently, the twisting form will ensure that nearby buildings won't be left in an undue amount of shadow despite the increased height.

"In exchange for these concessions in the building’s volume and plan, the impact of the building’s shadow on its neighbors was minimized by MVRDV," says the firm. "The solution was to parametrically shape the lower 10 floors of the building into a twist, to minimize the structure’s shadow cast onto the neighboring facades to only two hours a day."

MVRDV further states that the twisting form of the tower helps to reduce the effects of severe winds common in the area, and that the design for the plaza around the tower serves like an oversized sundial, on which the shadow of the building will display the passing of time.

Construction is due to commence in 2016.

Source: MVRDV