In his new book "Building Community: New Apartment Architecture," Michael Webb looks at 30 of the world's most compelling new apartment buildings. <br /><br />The Interlace comprises 31 identical six-story blocks stacked on top of each other. In the spaces between them are eight courtyards and an Olympic-sized swimming pool, creating a micro community outside of the city center. <br /><br />"We wanted togetherness, not isolation; a return to when Singapore was a village of little buildings, tightly knit together," Ole Scheeren says in the book.
The Interlace (2007-13) by OMA and Ole Scheeren in Singapore —
In his new book "Building Community: New Apartment Architecture," Michael Webb looks at 30 of the world's most compelling new apartment buildings.

The Interlace comprises 31 identical six-story blocks stacked on top of each other. In the spaces between them are eight courtyards and an Olympic-sized swimming pool, creating a micro community outside of the city center.

"We wanted togetherness, not isolation; a return to when Singapore was a village of little buildings, tightly knit together," Ole Scheeren says in the book.
Courtesy Iwan Baan
Steel beams support the tree-covered terraces around Luciano Pia's sustainable apartment. The more than 150 trees -- which are sustained with irrigated rainwater -- reduce air pollution by absorbing carbon dioxide, provide shade, and muffle noise for residents.
25 Verde (2007-13) by Luciano Pia in Turin, Italy —
Steel beams support the tree-covered terraces around Luciano Pia's sustainable apartment. The more than 150 trees -- which are sustained with irrigated rainwater -- reduce air pollution by absorbing carbon dioxide, provide shade, and muffle noise for residents.
Courtesy Beppe Giardino/Luciano Pia
The CityLife complex from Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) comprises seven curvolinear apartment buildings designed by the firm, along with a park and three office buildings designed by Hadid, Daniel Libeskind and Arata Isozaki. <br /><br />In the book, project architect Maurizio Meossi says ZHA "played with the orientation and facades to maximize transparency for the outer face, to pull light and views into the living areas, and to achieve a feeling of intimacy int he inner courtyard."
CityLife (2004-14) by Zaha Hadid Architects in Milan, Italy —
The CityLife complex from Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) comprises seven curvolinear apartment buildings designed by the firm, along with a park and three office buildings designed by Hadid, Daniel Libeskind and Arata Isozaki.

In the book, project architect Maurizio Meossi says ZHA "played with the orientation and facades to maximize transparency for the outer face, to pull light and views into the living areas, and to achieve a feeling of intimacy int he inner courtyard."
Courtesy Iwan Baan/Michele Nastasi
Paul Goldberger, an architecture critic at the New Yorker, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.newyorker.com%2Fmagazine%2F2011%2F03%2F07%2Fgracious-living-paul-goldberger" target="_blank" target="_blank">wrote</a> that Frank Gehry's undulating skyscraper was "one of the most beautiful towers downtown, and the first big New York apartment house that is worth talking about in more than a generation" when it opened in 2011.
8 Spruce Street (2003-11) by Gehry Partners in New York —
Paul Goldberger, an architecture critic at the New Yorker, wrote that Frank Gehry's undulating skyscraper was "one of the most beautiful towers downtown, and the first big New York apartment house that is worth talking about in more than a generation" when it opened in 2011.
Courtesy Forest City Ratner Companies/dbox
Sky Habitat is another experiment in stacked architecture from Moshe Safdie, who is perhaps best known for his seminal Habitat 67 apartment in Montreal. <br /><br />"Here, I wanted everybody to have a view, a measure of privacy, and not be blocked by neighboring buildings or suffer diminished light," Safdie said in the book. "We drove out anything that would result in second-class units -- I find that unacceptable."
Sky Habitat (2011-15) by Safdie Architects in Singapore —
Sky Habitat is another experiment in stacked architecture from Moshe Safdie, who is perhaps best known for his seminal Habitat 67 apartment in Montreal.

"Here, I wanted everybody to have a view, a measure of privacy, and not be blocked by neighboring buildings or suffer diminished light," Safdie said in the book. "We drove out anything that would result in second-class units -- I find that unacceptable."
courtesy Safdie Architects
Some of the modular micro-units in Songpa can be combined or rearranged to accommodate couples or small groups. Since the rooms themselves as quite small, there are a number of communal spaces to encourage a sense of community.
Songpa Micro Housing (2012-14) by Single Speed Designs in Seoul, South Korea —
Some of the modular micro-units in Songpa can be combined or rearranged to accommodate couples or small groups. Since the rooms themselves as quite small, there are a number of communal spaces to encourage a sense of community.
Courtesy Single Speed Designs
This multipurpose complex, architect Bjarke Ingels' third residential project, gets its name from its unusual figure eight shape. The ground-level shops and courtyards are open to the public to encourage social interaction and foster community.
8 House (2007-11) by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) in Copenhagen, Denmark —
This multipurpose complex, architect Bjarke Ingels' third residential project, gets its name from its unusual figure eight shape. The ground-level shops and courtyards are open to the public to encourage social interaction and foster community.
Courtesy Iwan Baan
Ma Yansong was initially commissioned to design just one tower for the Toronto suburb, but when all 400 sold in one day, the developers requested a second. Because of their curvy shape, the pair are popularly known as the Marilyn Monroe towers.
Absolute Towers (2006-12) by MAD Architects in Mississauga, Canada —
Ma Yansong was initially commissioned to design just one tower for the Toronto suburb, but when all 400 sold in one day, the developers requested a second. Because of their curvy shape, the pair are popularly known as the Marilyn Monroe towers.
Courtesy Iwan Baan/MAD Architects
The Wave's design was inspired by the water, clouds and hills surrounding the Danish harbor town. In 2010, it was voted residential building of the year by the Leading European Architects Forum, and in 2011 it won a Civic Trust Award for its positive contributions to its community.
The Wave (2003-09) by Henning Larsen Architects in Vejle, Denmark —
The Wave's design was inspired by the water, clouds and hills surrounding the Danish harbor town. In 2010, it was voted residential building of the year by the Leading European Architects Forum, and in 2011 it won a Civic Trust Award for its positive contributions to its community.
courtesy Henning Larsen Architects
"Building Community: New Apartment Architecture" also highlights a few ambitious projects that haven't yet been realized. <br /><br />Sou Fujimoto worked with Manal Rachdi and Nicolas Laisne -- two young French architects -- on the designs for this 17-story tower. It will be built in Montpellier, France.
L'Arbre Blanc by Sou Fujimoto Architects —
"Building Community: New Apartment Architecture" also highlights a few ambitious projects that haven't yet been realized.

Sou Fujimoto worked with Manal Rachdi and Nicolas Laisne -- two young French architects -- on the designs for this 17-story tower. It will be built in Montpellier, France.
Courtesy Sou Fujimoto Architects
Project R6 is currently on hold, but if it does go into construction, it could be one of the most striking buildings in Seoul. A complex of studio apartments, Project R6 is designed for short-term occupants who appreciate views and light, but do not require a lot of space.
Project R6 by REX —
Project R6 is currently on hold, but if it does go into construction, it could be one of the most striking buildings in Seoul. A complex of studio apartments, Project R6 is designed for short-term occupants who appreciate views and light, but do not require a lot of space.
Courtesy REX
<a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2FBuilding-Community-New-Apartment-Architecture%2Fdp%2F0500343306" target="_blank" target="_blank">"Building Community: New Apartment Architecture"</a> by Michael Webb, published by Thames & Hudson, is out now.
Torr Kaelan (2012-14) by Rob Wellington Quigley, FAIA in San Diego, California —
"Building Community: New Apartment Architecture" by Michael Webb, published by Thames & Hudson, is out now.
courtesy thames & hudson