Gary Lee

Where is it?

Taipei Taiwan


What is it?

Add-on structures on rooftops


Who did it?

People who are living on the top floor apartment unit.


What purpose does it fulfil?

To maximize the usable space in their apartment


What rules does it break (if any)?

It breaks the regulation of building a structure without proper application and fire safety code review.


Can it/should it be integrated into the formal framework?

It should be reviewed and modified to meet the safety requirements for egress and fire safety


How can the city accommodate informal initiatives?

The city could review the add-on structures and encourage them to meet the safety code requirements to allow this kind of informalities exist while making sure it meets up with the code


Does it belong to any "family" of informalities?

Yes, it’s an informal type of building construction that is not properly designed and reviewed but built as a way to solve the owner’s needs


Are there any examples of similar informal interventions in different contexts?

Yes, this kind of informal building structure happens around in many Asian cities where they are means to quickly solve housing needs in the urban areas.

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Write to us at informalcity@urbz.net