Castles in the air: Innovative designs for communal living

As cities around the world try to cope with housing and land shortages, the need for apartment buildings has never been greater.

It’s a reality architects are keenly aware of, with many having proposed radical, beautiful new models for apartment living, including towers that change shape, absorb carbon, and break up when you do.

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.

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.

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."

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.

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Community living reaches new heights

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However, while the rise in designer apartments has been a boon for top-earners in search of inventive new living quarters, affordable options with the same quality and creativity remain scarce.

“It is convenient as well as financially necessary to live in an apartment. That has raised the recognition of apartments as a pattern of living. But unfortunately in Britain and America, the provision of really high quality, affordable apartments has lagged, and has in fact fallen short of the need,” Michael Webb, author of “Building Community: New Apartment Architecture,” told CNN over the phone, blaming “the lack of support (for creative architects) from private developers, who only want to make a quick profit, or from cities, who’ve dropped out of the housing market.”

“The tragedy is that the best architects worked for public housing authorities or nonprofit housing associations for a number of years, and now through privatization, they no longer can,” he added.

Twisting tall towers of the globe —

The Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has released a comprehensive list of the world's twisting tall buildings that are either completed or under construction. From Shanghai to Dubai, CNN takes a look at these spectacular spiraled skyscrapers, as well as some of the other tallest buildings in the world.

Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, China —

Topping CTBUH's list in terms of height is Shanghai Tower, which twirls 632 meters (2,073 feet) into the sky.

Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, China —

Shanghai Tower is also the tallest building in China, and the second tallest skyscraper in the world after the famous Burj Khalifa in Dubai.

Shanghai Tower, Shanghai, China —

Located in Shanghai's burgeoning Lujiazui financial district and designed by architects Marshall Strabala and Jun Xia from the firm Gensler, its twisted form accommodates strong typhoon winds. The tower was completed at the end of 2015.

Lakhta Center, St Petersburg, Russia —

Although not yet completed, the second tallest twisted building on CTBUH's list is the Lakhta Center, a tower in St Petersburgh, Russia.

Lakhta Tower, St Petersburg, Russia —

Designed by British architect Tony Kettle in conjunction with Gorproject, the tower has a projected height of 462 meters (1,516 feet) and is due to be completed by the end of 2018.

The Eleventh, New York, U.S. —

'The Eleventh' towers in Manhattan, New York, will have a rotating aesthetic that gives the appearance of movement. The towers, designed by Bjarke Ingels Group, will stand 300 and 400 feet tall when they are completed in 2019.

Ocean Heights, Dubai, UAE —

A residential skyscraper in Dubai Marina, Ocean Heights stands 310 meters (1,017 feet) tall and has 83 floors. The tower is the second highest twisting tall building that's been completed and was designed by American architect, Andrew Bromberg from Aedas.

Cayan Tower, Dubai, UAE —

Completed in 2013 and designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, Cayan Tower soars 306 meters (1,005 feet) into the sky. It's the third tallest twisted tower in the world that's complete, according to CTBUH.

Evolution Tower, Moscow, Russia —

A white ribbon wraps around Moscow's stunning Evolution Tower, which topped out at 246 meters (807 feet) when completed in 2015.

Evolution Tower, Moscow, Russia —

Inspired by the city's St Basil Cathedral and Russia's never completed Talin's Tower, the chief architect for design was Philip Nikandrov, from Gorproject.

Turning Torso, Malmo, Sweden —

The world's first ever twisted tall building was the 190 meter (623 feet) Turning Torso, which was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and completed in 2005.

Turning Torso, Malmo, Sweden —

"The unconventional form of a twisting building means every component of tall building design must be rethought," says the CTBUH report author, Shawn Ursini.

Absolute World Towers E & D, Ontario, Canada —

Dubbed the 'Marilyn Monroe' towers by local residents due to its fluid, natural lines, Absolute World Towers was designed by MAD architects.

Absolute Towers E & D, Ontario, Canada —

Absolute World's two twisted towers stand at 176 meters (577 feet) and 158 meters (518 feet) tall.

The Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE —

Claiming the crown for the world's tallest building upon its completion in 2010, the Burj Khalifa stands a massive 198 meters (650 feet) above its nearest completed competitor.

The Tower, Dubai, United Arab Emirates —

However, the Burj Khalifa's 828 meter (2,717 feet) mark on Dubai's skyline may soon be eclipsed by a new mega-tall skyscraper.

The Tower, Dubai, UAE —

Although not yet officially named, 'The Tower' at Dubai Creek Harbour will be 100m taller than the Burj Khalifa.

The Tower, Dubai, UAE —

The Santiago Calatrava designed tower is expected to be completed in 2020 and will hold ten observation decks in its oval-shaped peak.

Jeddah Tower, Saudi Arabia —

Also competing for the title of the world's tallest building is Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia. Designed by Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the tower aims to break the 1 km (3,280 feet) threshold upon its expected completion in 2019. Such innovation doesn't come cheap - the building is expected to cost $1.23 billion.

Sky Mile Tower, Tokyo, Japan —

Taking the race to even further extremes, a proposal for a tower double the height of the Burj Khalifa was unveiled In Feburary by Kohn Pefersen Fox Associates (KPF) and Leslie E Robertson Associates (LERA).

Sky Mile Tower, Tokyo, Japan —

The 1,600 meter -- one entire mile -- tower is part of a future city concept named "Next Tokyo 2045," which envisions a floating mega-city in Tokyo Bay.

1 Undershaft, London, UK —

In December 2015, plans were unveiled for 1 Undershaft -- a 300 meter (984 feet) tall building that could become the City of London's tallest skyscraper.

1 Undershaft, London, UK —

1 Undershaft will sit across the river from London's existing tallest building, The Shard, which sits 309 meters (1,013 feet) above London at its highest point.

432 Park Avenue, New York, U.S. —

432 Park Avenue, the tallest all-residential tower in the western hemisphere, opened its doors in December 2015 and recently became the hundredth supertall building in the world. The 425.5 meter (1,396 feet) building was designed by Rafael Vinoly of SLCE Architects.

One World Trade Center, New York, U.S. —

Known as the "Freedom Tower," One World Trade Center stands on part of the site previously occupied by the Twin Towers. At 541 meters (1,776 feet) it's the highest building in the western hemisphere, and cost $3.9 billion according to Forbes. The building was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

Taipei 101, Taipei, Taiwan —

The first skyscraper to break the half-kilometer mark, Taipei 101 stands at 508 meters (1,667 feet) tall. Designed by C.Y. Lee & Partners to withstand the elements -- including typhoons, earthquakes and 216 km/h winds -- Taipei 101 utilizes a 660-tonne mass damper ball suspended from the 92nd floor, which sways to offset the movement of the building.

Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, China —

Construction of Shanghai's third supertall building took 11 years, but the skyscraper dubbed "The Bottle Opener" was met with critical praise and high-end residents when it was completed in 2008. At 492 meters (1,614 feet) tall, the Kohn Pederson Fox building's residents include the Park Hyatt Shanghai and offices for Ernst & Young, Morgan Stanley, and BNP Paribas.

International Commerce Center, Hong Kong, China —

Hong Kong's tallest building has 108 floors -- but walking around it, you'd get a different story. The city's tetraphobia -- the fear of the number four -- means floors with the number have been skipped and the 484 meter (1,588 feet) tall International Commerce Center is marketed as a 118-story skyscraper. The building was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox.

Petronas Towers 1 and 2, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia —

The joint eighth highest completed skyscraper is still the tallest twin towers in the world at 451.9 meters (1,483 feet). Finished in 1996 and inaugurated in 1999, it's been the site of numerous hair-raising stunts. Felix Baumgartner set a then-BASE jump world record in 1999 by jumping off a window cleaning crane, and in 2009 Frenchman Alain Robert, known as "Spiderman," freeclimbed to the top of Tower Two without safety equipment -- and did so in under two hours. It was designed by Cesar Pelli.

Lotte World Tower, Seoul, South Korea —

Completed in March 2016, the Lotte World Tower is Seoul's first supertall skyscraper, and currently the sixth tallest building in the world. At 556 meters (1,824 feet) tall, the building was designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates.

Tall and twisted towers

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In “Building Community,” Webb highlights 30 apartments, designed by internationally renowned firms like Gehry Architects, BIG and OMA, that truly defy convention.

From a sustainable urban three house in Turin, Italy to an interlocking megastructure in Singapore, these apartments “suggest models for how you can provide decent housing for people of every income level, from the very poor to the very rich, and in between.”

“They are beacons of sanity and imagination that show how much better we could live, if only architects were liberated to do their own thing,” Webb says.

“The basics of good design haven’t changed: space, light, privacy, good sound insulation so you’re not listening to your neighbors and traffic outside. These are the qualities that good architects can bring, but they can only do it if someone’s going to commission them.”

“Building Community: New Apartment Architecture” by Michael Webb, published by Thames & Hudson, is out now.