This week’s Dezeen Agenda highlights a bold new addition to Taipei’s skyline by Dutch architecture firm MVRDV. Clad in marble and wrapped in cantilevered terraces, the 25-storey residential tower—aptly named Out of the Box—signals a fresh urban landmark for the Taiwanese capital. Alongside it, this week’s design roundup includes Peter Cook’s playful pavilion in London, award-winning architectural projects recognized by the AIA, and a surprising new book that only reveals its content when wet.
A new landmark emerges in Taipei
Dutch firm MVRDV has unveiled its design for a striking high-rise residential tower in Taipei, Taiwan, which stands out not only for its materiality—white marble—but also for its sculptural approach to urban living. The project, titled Out of the Box, was designed for Win Sing Development Company and aims to become a visual and cultural anchor within its neighborhood.
The 25-storey tower is composed of stacked cubic volumes, creating a gridded facade that appears dynamic and modular. Each level features cantilevered terraces that project outward in different directions, offering panoramic views of the city while giving the building its distinctive, staggered form. This architectural approach is more than just an aesthetic decision; it’s also about rethinking how residents interact with their surroundings—connecting each unit directly with Taipei’s skyline and fostering a stronger sense of openness in dense urban environments.
Out of the box and into the skyline
MVRDV’s Out of the Box project continues the firm’s tradition of blending formal playfulness with social intent. While the marble cladding lends the building a sense of timeless elegance, the irregular geometry breaks from conventional tower designs. It’s a visual statement that suggests movement, experimentation, and even rebellion against monotonous high-rise architecture.
According to MVRDV, the building’s bold form not only maximizes access to daylight and ventilation but also reflects a “landmark of the neighbourhood” philosophy. Positioned along a major road, the tower is set to become a new point of orientation in the city’s architectural landscape—one that balances a refined palette with a dynamic urban presence.
Peter Cook’s lego-like pavilion delights London
On the other side of the world, British architect Peter Cook—a founding member of the radical Archigram group—has unveiled a whimsical new pavilion covered in LEGO-like elements at London’s Serpentine Gallery. The Play Pavilion, designed specifically for children, invites tactile engagement and imaginative interaction. With its vibrant cladding and experimental form, the structure doubles as both playground and art installation.
Cook’s design brings his longstanding themes of architectural improvisation and joy into a physical space meant for the youngest city users. Rather than adhering to sterile modernist tropes, the pavilion celebrates color, texture, and creativity—a reminder that architecture can be playful without losing intellectual depth.
AIA 2025 awards spotlight design excellence
Meanwhile, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has announced the winners of its 2025 Architecture Awards, recognizing innovation and excellence across a variety of building types and scales. This year’s winners include a blend of public institutions, sustainable housing solutions, and cultural spaces that prioritize community, context, and environmental performance. Among the most celebrated projects were adaptive reuse efforts and net-zero buildings that exemplify the profession’s growing commitment to climate action. These awardees not only reflect the best in contemporary architecture but also point toward a more responsible and inclusive future for the built environment.
A book that disappears… until it gets wet
Rounding out this week’s design curiosities is a book printed with hydrochromic ink, an innovative material that remains invisible until exposed to water. This interactive print technique turns the act of reading into a physical experiment—readers must wet the pages to reveal the text. Designed to raise awareness about water scarcity, the book is both object and message, blurring the line between function and activism.
Such experimental design work is emblematic of a broader movement in the creative industries—where materiality, technology, and storytelling intersect in unexpected ways. It also reinforces the idea that design isn’t static; it reacts, reveals, and in some cases, evaporates.
Curating the future of design
As always, Dezeen Agenda brings together the most compelling stories in architecture and design each week—from bold urban gestures to tiny, transformative inventions. With newsletters like Dezeen Debate, Dezeen Daily, and Dezeen In Depth, the platform continues to shape the global conversation around how and why we design the way we do.
Whether it’s MVRDV’s marble tower redefining residential form, Peter Cook’s vibrant play haven, or a vanishing book that speaks volumes—this week’s projects remind us that architecture is as much about emotion and interaction as it is about structure and space. And as designers respond to a rapidly changing world, these stories offer a glimpse into a more imaginative and resilient future.
