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18T Mansion by UNStudio

Creating a New Standard for Residential Wellbeing in Southwest China

18T Mansion by UNStudio
Photo © Kris Provoost

UNStudio, in collaboration with developer GuocoLand, has completed 18T Mansion in Chongqing, China, introducing a forward-thinking residential concept centered on human health and wellbeing. Officially the first WELL Platinum-certified residential project in Southwest China, this high-rise development redefines communal living by integrating sustainable design with modern urban needs.

Situated across two plots, the project includes five residential towers, varying in height from 16 to 51 stories, with a total of 1,046 units. The development incorporates green spaces, rooftop gardens, an elevated running track, and both underground and above-ground parking, creating a holistic environment for residents.

Photo © Kris Provoost

Rooted in Tradition, Built for the Future

The project is located in the Shibati district on the Yuzhong Peninsula, a historically significant area known for the 18-step reachable well. This communal gathering place once defined the rhythm of daily life. With the revitalization of the neighborhood, 18T Mansion emerges as a key component in its transformation. The development integrates elements of the past into a contemporary urban framework.

The development does not merely modernize an aging district, it actively preserves and repurposes its cultural elements. The concept of the ‘Urban Well’, once central to community life, is subtly reflected in the design of the towers and podiums, maintaining a connection between past and present.

18T Mansion by UNStudio
Photo © Kris Provoost

A Community-Focused Approach

Beyond offering high-end residences, 18T Mansion by UNStudio prioritizes an active and socially connected lifestyle. The design promotes interaction through multifunctional communal spaces that cater to residents of all ages. The project incorporates diverse amenities, including ten clubhouses, ultra-fitness centers, heated swimming pools, playrooms, entertainment spaces, art galleries, and banqueting halls. These features create an environment where residents can engage in wellness-driven activities without leaving their neighborhood.

Photo © Kris Provoost

These shared spaces are distributed across lobby levels, sky gardens, and podium rooftops, creating a variety of environments for socialization, relaxation, and recreation. Inspired by the original ‘Urban Well’, this layout increases accessibility while ensuring that communal areas remain integral to everyday life.

18T Mansion by UNStudio
Photo © Kris Provoost

Outdoor spaces are equally considered, featuring expansive courtyards, conversation areas, children’s playgrounds, and an aerial running track. UNStudio partnered with JTL Studio to introduce the ‘Shared Urban Garden’, incorporating diverse plant species and a waterscape to improve air quality and thermal comfort. These elements work together to cultivate a healthier, more ecological living environment.

Photo © Kris Provoost

Vertical Living Reimagined

Designed as ‘Castles in the Sky’, the residential towers prioritize comfort, privacy, and natural elements. The open floor plan ensures optimal daylight penetration, ventilation, and unobstructed views. Bespoke floor-to-ceiling windows, with ceiling heights of 3.3 to 3.6 meters, allow for abundant natural light, reducing reliance on artificial lighting.

A tiered massing strategy accommodates various unit sizes, with an incremental outward shift in structure, up to 2.4 meters, creating a dynamic vertical neighborhood. This approach efficiently utilizes space while supporting 84 distinct unit layouts, ranging from 83 m² to 1,200 m². The highest floors house penthouses with panoramic views of Chongqing’s skyline, the Yangtze River, and surrounding mountains.

18T Mansion by UNStudio
Photo © Kris Provoost

Innovative Facade Design

One of the project’s defining elements is its interlocking facade system. Brass and silver-toned convex edges and soffits create a pattern that evolves from two-dimensional surfaces into three-dimensional architectural features. This system is not only visually compelling but also functional, addressing structural constraints such as force points and overhang limitations.

Client: GuocoLand
UNStudio Team: Ben van Berkel, Hannes Pfau with Tamim Negm Ayuss Kumar, Rafael Yoon, Kyle Chou, Kaisi Hsu, Yichi Zhang, Haruka Tomoeda, Peter Malaga, Yuan Yao , Diz Wang, Mimmo Barbaccia, Ben Lucas, Yuze Liu, Huaiming Liao, Jakub Grochulski, Lawrence Ma, Pedro Manzano Ruiz, Ana Castaingts Gomez, Sylwia Pawlowska, Rachael Ouyang, Athena Morella, Gang Liu, Shihui Jin, Mingxi Zou, Albert Yen, Arturo Revilla Perez, Bomin Park, Nath Rankothge, Yan Chen, Craig Yan, Daniel Fonseca De Moura, Junya Huang, Evan Shieh, Maya Calleja Calvo, Haodong Hu, Guomin Lin, Jon Espinosa Molano, Alexander Meyers, Chuanzhong Zhang, Sherry Liu, Kathy Li, Jing Xu, Wei Huang, Zebin Chen, Dongjie Qiu
Advisors
Local Executive Architect:
CMCU ENGINEERING CO, LTD.,; HUITING ARCHITECT & ENGINEERS LIMITED
Construction Management: CMCU ENGINEERING CO, LTD.,
Architects commercial precinct: LWK+PARTNERS
Consultants
Structure:
ARUP
Façade: Inhabit
Interior: Gallery Su, T.K Chu Design, HWCD, CCD, CYNOSURE Design
Energy-efficient green building: CMCU
WELL: Atkins Shenzhen
Lighting: Brandston Partnership Inc
Landscape: JTL
Signage: BOXI Sign
Main contractors: CMCU ENGINEERING CO, LTD., CSCEC中建三局
Photography: Kris Provoost

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