UNS: Winner of International Residential Architecture Awards 2025. UNS designs GuocoLand’s 18T Mansion—a highly human-centric, wellbeing-focused residential development that redefines communal living and demonstrates the benefits of a harmonious blend between historic and contemporary symbiosis.

Designed to meet the demand for high-rise living in a dense urban centre, the project enhances living quality from indoor spaces to community building. It is the first WELL Platinum-certified residential development in Southwest China.

Spanning two plots, the development features five residential towers ranging from 16 to 51 storeys, comprising a total of 1,046 units. The project offers a range of healthy amenities, including 10 clubhouses, an elevated running track, extensive courtyards, playgrounds, sky and roof gardens, below- and above-ground parking, and lush green landscapes.

The design fosters a human-centric community with flexible spaces and wellness-focused facilities for all ages, promoting a neighbourly culture. A wide range of shared amenities are distributed across the lobby floors, double-height sky gardens and the top floor of the podiums of the five towers, reflecting the gathering concept of the ‘Urban Well’ from earlier times. This scattered approach was adopted to create communal spaces that provide convenience and accessibility to the residents of each building. This not only creates innovative design solutions but also preserves local cultural heritage.

The outdoor spaces are equally thoughtful, featuring courtyards, children’s playgrounds, and an aerial running track. Shared amenities are located atop a green roof podium, while the concept of a ‘Shared Urban Garden’ introduces ecological plants and waterscapes. These elements not only reduce air pollution and regulate thermal comfort but also create a healthy, sustainable environment.

A tiered massing strategy optimises land use, providing 84 diverse unit types to accommodate a wide range of demographics and family structures. The innovative interlocking façade resolves structural challenges like force points and overhang limitations, while open floor plans enhance user comfort by ensuring privacy, abundant natural light, ventilation, and framed views. Indoor quality is further improved with panoramic glazing, air filtration systems, and acoustic design.

Throughout the design and construction process, ten key dimensions – including air quality, lighting, and materials – were meticulously addressed to promote physical and mental wellbeing, encourage social interaction, and uphold environmental sustainability. Integral design strategies were employed to enhance building efficiency, comfort, and safety, while also reducing health risks and supporting a low-carbon environment. Since its inception in 2017, UNS has continuously developed strategies to anticipate and integrate future resident needs into the design. By collaborating with the client, consultants, and contractors, the team addressed site-specific constraints while ensuring design, construction, and cost efficiency through advanced technologies. After a year of occupancy in 2025, the project has transformed the area, offering residents and surrounding neighbourhoods a healthier lifestyle, improved accessibility, and a renewed connection to local cultural heritage.

Project Details:-
Firm
UNS

Architect
UNS

Project Name
18T Mansion

Project Category
Residential Apartment Built

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

Project Location
Chongqing, China

Country
Netherlands

Photography ©Credit
©Kris Provoost

Since 1988, when Ben van Berkel and Caroline Bos established UNS in Amsterdam, the firm been driven by a singular vision: to design spaces that shape the way people live, work, and connect. Today, UNS is a global design studio that goes beyond architecture. From interiors and product design to urban development, landscape design, and user experience, they create solutions that are as diverse as the challenges they face. With strategically located offices in Amsterdam, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Dubai, Frankfurt, Melbourne, Austin, and Riyadh, they are equipped to work seamlessly across the globe, bringing local insights to every project.