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July 23, 2006
The Abandoned City
On the outskirts of Taipei, Taiwan is an abandoned housing project. I think they were built in the early 80's as cheap housing that could expand vertically while maintaining a very small footprint. The 4 circular pods made it easy to manufacture meanwhile providing it's occupants with plenty of space. I also found some questionable info on its location. The riverbed on one side, the hills on the opposite, the materials used to build it, and the fact that they expand upwards were all intentional to satisfy traditional Chinese living methodology of the 5 elements.
I couldn't find any other information about it or even why it was abandoned. Ironically, if this existed somewhere in United States and were to be redeveloped, it would probably a cost an arm and leg to live in. I can picture the hipsters drooling now.
more pictures after the jump
Posted by tranism at 6:06 PM | Permalink
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Comments
shoddy contruction, look, its falling apart already. ;)
interesting concept but a little too sci fi looking for any amerikan to want to own one.
Posted by: gunmetalblue at July 23, 2006 8:15 PM
Reminds me a lot of the Hatch of the Tv Serie "Lost". Are you sure that it doesn't says Dharma or Hanso somewhere?
Posted by: Pol at July 24, 2006 8:48 AM
reminds me of Habitat '67 (montreal Expo '67) the Safde stacking block apt complex that's now rat infested.
these are gorgeous pics btw.
Posted by: A.J. at July 24, 2006 11:36 AM
Hi all.
This housing is build in the early 60s to the end of 60s.
this housing it look like a cheap housing but it have some expensive elements like the dam against the ocean waves and the stairs and floors is covered with marble stone. And the housing got a B1 Floor.
It must be scary inside this building if a big taifun is coming up.
the apartments looking like mushrooms roofs (fiberglass).
i was inside too, i was very happy to get out and feel real ground again.
and the author of this pictures (i have saw by flickr more photos of him) he must be crazy, he walks on the rusty floor, the cement and iron construction is over the years eat by the salty sea.
this housing never can reconstructed, it it better to build it new.
this Housing are in "San Zhi" Taipei County
more information please mail me.
cu kp2
P.S. coloured photos are more scary.
Posted by: KP2 at July 27, 2006 3:12 AM
look for San-chih, north of Taipei to find the houses in google earth...
Posted by: Kristo at July 27, 2006 6:03 AM
Rat infested .. I don't think so. See ... http://www.habitat67.com/residences_en.html
I lived in Montreal years ago & had a friend who abided there. It was amazing then.
To cool off ... run cold water or put ice on your wrists. It works.
Posted by: Jane Langdon at July 28, 2006 7:57 PM
"I can picture the hipsters drooling now."
um, excuse me, who's the hipster?
Posted by: minty jeery at August 8, 2006 4:39 AM
Hey there, I'm writing from Taipei as one of the editors of a local architecture/design magazine. I do have to say...I loved reading about one of my favorite mysteries on a foreign website! Now, some clarification (and yes, we actually did a photoshoot of the project for our magazine as well), the complex was originally intended to be a resort/hotel development. The entire area originally included an amusement park as well, though as you can see, the project was abandoned without it ever being completed. We have no idea who the architect is either, and would love to hear from anyone who does too....cheers!
Posted by: Philip Hwang at August 9, 2006 11:29 PM
Amazing pictures.
I really love the pods, this can be used here in the states as a concept for affordable "stackable" housing. Too bad it was abandoned and the thought of it being a resort is sad, it would've have been something the locals wouldn't be able to afford. A beautiful structure that is now abandoned and never completed which is even worse.
Great site btw!
Posted by: The Max at August 10, 2006 12:22 PM
for those who use google earth can check this out;
http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/showthreaded.php/Number/405410
Posted by: boult at August 16, 2006 1:39 PM
I must go to Taipei now
Posted by: TCE at August 19, 2006 7:31 PM
Prospective buyers must have scared off by Sci-Fi UFO Base Look and potential for Godzilla like monsters to hit there. It would sure make a great SciFi movie set...Tsunami's and Typhoons
could rip these into flotation pods so easily...
They also serve brillantly to prevent Chinese attacks, as Chinese just dont want the Island now afterall...too tacky and trashed.
Posted by: Steve at September 12, 2006 11:56 AM
Is it abandoned city? I think it only four abandoned houses. Abandoned cities are like this.
Posted by: ls_cat at September 21, 2006 5:12 AM
The website Fark has done a Photoshop contest of these buildings. It can be seen here: http://forums.fark.com/cgi/fark/comments.pl?IDLink=2424480
Posted by: Zzyzx at November 30, 2006 11:57 AM
Can anyone contact me about the San Zhi story & images, we would love to publish them in our mag
cheers! Siegrid
Posted by: Siegrid at December 6, 2006 8:57 AM