Yong Quan Park
This project reorganizing the history of the sugar factory develops the stories and functions of space conformable with the developments of the factory. People can be closer to nature on the lake observation deck extended from Fuxing Road Bridge to the central lake. Following the riverside pathway, we see the main building of the sugar factory where the wide square can accommodate a large crowd. To the south of the square, there are magnificent forest and hill landscape attractive to animals and people. The irregular riverside slopes and the elevated wood deck connected to the island on the central lake constitute the best platform for ecological education. What we see by walking on the shore trail are the traces of the historical sugar factory railway. The lake surrounded by the circular trail was the main railway of the in the past. The circular trail has a comprehensive view to the entire sugar factory, from which we learn not only its lovely appearance, also its complete history. As to environmental resources and design skills, the lake signifying the urban hydrological and ecological sustainability is constructed with the drainage system with the springs and the gravel layers. A large volume of groundwater therefore flows towards the construction site. The underground tunnel systems support the growth of aquatic plants and permanent pond that establish the education of urban hydrology, the ecological island, and the habitat for water birds. Secondly, the regeneration of industrial culture and the continuation of sugar industry and railway culture embodied by the architectures and the environment arrange of the sugar factory combined with the railway traffic flow and scenery demonstrate exemplify the conceptual images and traces of sugar factory derived from the memory passing through the tunnel. Thirdly, the new attractions of recreational activities, the plentiful shops, convenient transportation systems, and the integration of business and humanity. Lastly, the new location of the east district of Taichung, the conceptual image of East Gate of the provincial capital of Taichung, the view on the elevated railways, and the renovations of shops in Taiping District and Beitun District.
Sky Green
Sky Green is located in the densely developed, vibrant Nantun District of Taichung, Taiwan. The site consists of two rectangular plots, one facing the main city thoroughfare, Gongyi Road, and the other facing Daying Street, a quieter secondary street. The brief called for a sustainable mixed-use residential development in the heart of the city, the first of its kind in Taichung. The development is a prototype that represents Taichung’s aspirations towards fostering sustainable, sociable living in a high-density urban environment. The design was tailored to suit the local culture and subtropical climate, and to ensure safety during earthquakes and typhoons. The development consists of two 26-storey residential towers, and retail spaces from the ground level to level three. The two residential towers house generous recreation facilities for indoor and outdoor activities, offering residents ample common spaces, with a community plot ratio of 190%. Sky Green features greenery on all sides, making it the first building in Taichung with a green plot ratio of 320%. Landscaping is treated as a key material in creating the building envelope. The façade elements create deep sun-shading and the greenery acts as an active, living interface between the interior and exterior environment. The façade of Tower A features cantilevered, protruding balconies with trees and Tower B’s façade is characterized by mesh screens that serve as sun-shades and a trellis for creeper plants. Large sky terraces extend the living space of residents from indoors to outdoors, creating a biophilic environment within a high-rise development. Every unit is designed to enable natural cross-ventilation, minimizing the reliance on air-conditioning. The architectural strategies of Sky Green break away from the existing building fabric of the city. They are an adaptation of the Singaporean green, communal, tropical model to a subtropical, seismically active location, proving that the Singaporean model is appealing and adaptable to a substantial portion of the globe. Sky Green was used as a project reference during the conceptualisation of new Taichung City planning regulations, launched in March 2019, incentivising the incorporation of skygardens and lush greenery in high-rise developments. As the first high-density development in Taichung that provides generous recreation facilities and ample integrated green spaces, the project has proven to be successful, and has become the new benchmark. To date, 50 new projects in the city are closely modelled on the Sky Green typology.
Innovation and Research Building
Architectural Concept "Innovation" or "creativity" is a form of powerful associative thinking: new relationships that have never existed before became instrumental in the changing of existing thinking patterns and thereby creating new processes and products. When we describe people with innovative ability, we often attribute them as "visionaries", which is in essence "seeing the unseen". On the other hand, "biochemical research" must be conducted in a meticulous and insightful manner. Regardless of the former macro "view" or the latter's micro "view", they are both metaphorical "views" seen through the "eye". A mutual analogy between the abstract "view" and the substantive "view" - the eye. Biochemical experiment is the scientific study of chemical processes in living organisms. Among them, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the most important research field in biology, chemistry and medicine, and it is also the basis for the preservation and transmission of genetic information. Under the microscope, it is characterized by a "double helix" that constitutes its geometry. After reviewing the past development and future prospects of China Medical University, and with an in-depth understanding of the core values of Innovative Research, we propose the design concepts of "Gateway to the City", "Eye of Shuinan" and "DNA Space". Plan Organization: Function, Flexibility, and Futurity The Innovation and Research Building is located in the first row of the campus, and will be the first batch of large-scale buildings to be completed for China Medical University. The Entrance Hall on the first floor not only echoes the concept of an open campus, but also further strengthens the portal imagery. As for the standard levels that consist of laboratories, service spaces such as staircases, balconies, toilets, pantries, etc. are collectively arranged on the north side, reserving the largest possible space on the south for flexible use. Furthermore, conduit spaces are reserved at both ends of the corridor in response to possible programmatic change in the future. Section Formation: Accessible and Sustainable Under the existing regulations and the owners’ request, the floor height is maximized to meet the diversity and future needs of laboratories and classrooms. A curvilinear staircase winds from B1F to 9F in the midst of the collaboration spaces, representing that the center of the research here is the double-helix shaped DNA sequencing. The various turns and direction changes also reflect a researcher's mood during an experiment: through ups and downs, in awe with new findings during each step, and after a process of twists and turns, one finally reaches the eye-shaped viewing platform on 9F, which is suddenly clear with an unobstructed view. The “DNA grand staircase” also plays the role of the wind corridor facilitating the chimney effect. Through the refraction from the mirror plates on 9F and the curved stainless steel plates in the open area of each floor, light is introduced, attracting users to utilize this DNA staircase as the main circulation, and thereby increasing interaction and responding to the sustainability goals of energy conservation and carbon reduction.
La Bella Vita
The modern living space of a new generation emphasizes personal characteristics and highlights the unique taste of residents. The designer turns the fashionable, elegant imagination into interior space, creating a high-quality home with exquisite scene. Using One Room as the main concept, the large suite is stacked with wood and marble elements, portraying a simple and clean style. Along corridor, the display window is a prelude to the private field. The calm and low-key floating glass and penetrating cabinet, providing the most suitable exhibition platform for the owner's collection. For husband and wife, “keeping a chemistry distance” is a romantic ritual in daily life. Entering the main bedroom area, the dressing rooms of the couple are planned separately. They can change their clothes independently but meanwhile facing each other, creating a lingering atmosphere.
Molecure Pharmacy
MOLECURE is split and reorganized from words 'Molecule' and 'Cure', while approaching to the design, we returns to the original purpose of pharmacy- extracting molecule from nature to synthesize healing drugs. Thus we get the idea of building a space which we named 'green in the lab', combining the seemingly conflicting qualities of 'primitive' with 'technology'. Ways of molecular aggregation varies from triangular to polygonal, spherical to cones, and the change on its shape due to different ways of aggregation could be amazing. We extracted the two characteristics of molecule - 'connectivity' and 'aggregation' into design. We used cement to stick cobblestones on the two towering walls on the left and right side, whose rough texture gives people a sense of being real. The metal, lightweight glass and transparent acrylics are crisscrossing, and straight lines are adopted to build the display racks which is in longitude-and-latitude shape; just as repeated expanding of the molecule - with drugs put on them, the display racks seem to disappear from the space, while the colorful drugs act as paintings to color the walls.
Quest Composite Bicycle Factory and Office Complex
This project is the new production and administration base in Taiwan for Quest Composite Technology, a world leader in carbon fiber technology. Located in the Fengyuan Technology Zone in Taichung, the brand new production base is dedicated to the product development and production of world class bicycles for international brands Trek and Canyon - brands that have been consistently behind gold-medal riders in the Olympic Games and the Tour de France. Inside the LEED gold certified, sustainably-designed facility, world-leading production technology is incorporated, balancing a high component of skilled handmade production processes with smart automated manufacturing and quality control testing facilities. The factory building stands over five stories above ground plus a basement floor. It is an imposing volume measuring 54 m x 80 m and standing almost 30 m tall - offering production floor heights between 6 and 7 meters. The volume is enclosed on all sides by laminated aluminum panels - precise detailing of the continuous facade communicating a sense of assurance and an underlying aerodynamic quality. The volume is gently lifted off the ground, adding a sense of lightness. Rounded corners and gentle concave curves on each of the four elevations define a distinctive massing and creating a distinct corporate identity. Shading blades on the facades interact with sunlight and the facade to accentuate the curvilinear volume. Next door, the office building stands over three stories. The ground floor contains meeting rooms and spaces for the sales team. The second floor volume, also clad in metallic skin, cantilevers out, creating spaces for managers, training rooms and admin staff. The building is characterised by a long extended balcony that overlooks the loading area. The top floor contains a reception dining space, and a roof garden/terrace designed for outdoor events. Interiors bring a sense of lightness and cleanliness befitting of a world class, high-tech manufacturer. Spaces throughout continue the uncompromising attitude towards precision and quality, whether throughout production zones or across various recreational workspaces for the company staff - creating an optimal environment for production and creativity.
Taichung Commercial Bank Headquarters Mixed-Use Project
The 210m high tower is a mixed use development comprised of the Taichung Bank Headquarter, a 5 star hotel and a private VIP club at the top. Instead of stacking all these functions in a singular tower, the design intention is to create two separate towers with a vertical void in the centre. A series of ‘float¬ing’ volumes which house the large functions such as the ballroom, swimming pool, and meeting rooms will be situated inside the void to create a unique iconic space facing the main road. The design concept of the project is based on the Chinese character “Chung (Centre)” in the Taichung commercial bank logo. Unlike the traditional tower, the project divides the space into two blocks and joins them with the low-level public space and the high-level sky corridor. The low-level public space was designed in several box volumes and penetrate into the middle transparent glass curtain wall. The middle-level areas set up several glass boxes, which could serve as public green space and greatly enhanced the richness of the tower facade massing. The project creatively meets the requirements of Taiwan's local standard interface line-out through the top set-back processing and features such as specialty restaurants and sky bars in the set-back space, making full use of the scenic value of the high areas and combining with the outdoor platform to overlook the entire Taichung city center. The site’s position on a major transport axis within the high-rise area which creates the possibility of an architecture that responds to, and embodies the commercial and economic successes of Taichung and the client.
Giant Group Global Headquarters
Located in the heart of the Central Taiwan Science Park, the project consists of a 15-story office tower, a 3-story cycling culture museum, and an underground parking garage, with a total gross floor area of approximately 33,000m². With a design language echoing that of Giant’s bicycle frames to convey a sense of freedom and motion, the architecture of the soaring tower and curvaceous museum form a dynamic composition that is bold and forward looking. Specifically the tapering tower form corresponds with the program arrangement, with the public and amenity areas in the podium followed by the R&D labs and offices, and culminating in the executive suites at the top. The service core is placed on the west to mitigate heat gain, while the other three sides feature floor-to-ceiling glazing to take full advantage of the unobstructed surroundings. Appropriate shading on each façade is provided by the sharply profiled slab covers with the deepest and widest overhang on the south side in the form of balconies with views towards downtown Taichung. A series of zig-zagging ramps lead from the plaza level to the connecting bridge on the second floor, then on to the bicycle storage room on the third floor and terminate at the outdoor deck on the podium roof. The cycling culture museum features approximately 3,700 m² of dedicated exhibition space on two floors, while the third floor is utilized for special exhibition and administrative purposes. A lofty atrium greets the visitors upon arrival and a grand stair between two oval exhibition halls leads up to the second floor. The fluid interior spatial sequence and circulation pattern fully complement the architectural design. On the south side of the building, the Giant logo is subtly composed of perforations in the metal panels and is backlit at night. The choice of aluminum panels as the dominant façade material draws inspiration from the use of aluminum as the main material for bicycle frames. Careful geometric manipulation and analysis during the design stage was followed by a series of mock-ups and inspections to ensure a satisfactory outcome using the minimum number of expensive double-curved panels to achieve the desired appearance. In terms of structural systems, the tower utilizes steel construction while the museum makes use of thin shell reinforced concrete construction. The landscape design is conceived as a natural extension of the architectural design. Elements such as the flowing pebble paving patterns and a set of curved exterior stairs that integrate with the surrounding architecture. The highlight of the outdoor spaces is the activity plaza that is buttressed by the two buildings and ideally configured for exhibitions and performances. The plaza is reached from the sidewalk via a pedestrian/cyclist bridge formed by z-shaped bent steel plates. In sum, the architectural design of the project evokes the speed of cycling and the raw material of the bicycle frame to create a distinct temple of cycling culture uniquely suited for the new headquarters of Giant Group.
Bamboo Grove _ Dali Jade
Located in Taichung City, the region of magnificent mountains, winding rivers, and numerous art venues- we employ the image of bamboo on the facade to echo the city’s extraordinary environmental features. Two towers were built on the site with detailed structure and proportions to create a lofty appearance. The protruding structure on the roof resembles bamboo growing high into the clouds, virtually extending the buildings, and proclaiming magnificence. With harmonious indoor and outdoor boundaries are created in this luxurious residential project. The façade has employed the 3:2:1 rhythm for the overall main frames to give the sense of classical calms, meanwhile we introduce the horizontally layers from the slabs’ edges, representing bamboo nodes. This is to craft the repetitive yet vibrate details.
Taichung Central Park
Situated beneath the Tropic of Cancer, the climate of Taiwan is warmed by the Kuro-Shio, one of the largest marine currents in the world. The island possesses a hot and humid tropical climate that counterbalances the mountain range that has a fresher environment. The goal of Central Park is to give back the outdoors to the inhabitants by creating landscapes where the excesses of the climate of Taichung are re shaped. The park use a specific language, one of universal reach in its capacity to relate the issues at stake at different scales. The geographic scale by the transformation of an airport into an urban landscape; the urban scale by the provision of unique cultural facilities integrated into a vast public terrain; the domestic scale in the porosity between districts that allow sharing of recreational opportunities. The interlocking of these levels is a unique achievement. The design tools explore lithosphere design -water, topography, soil- combined with atmosphere design -heat, humidity, pollution. An overlapping mapping organizes a range of landscape distributing more comfortable ‘niches’ where natural and artificial tools are mixed, densified and dilated to highlight eleven comfortable resorts. The atmosphere performing is emphases by the lithosphere resources running with singular path through leisure’s lands, sports lands and plays lands. The landscape pulls from North to South. Urban traffic is partially covered by infrastructures incorporated into the ground of the park. On the surface the hills establish a framework of vast horizons and continuities from North to South. Yet standing before them, they are also intimate and protective, for the staging of cultural events or regular shelter with Northern Lounge, Eastern Spiral, Middle Yard, Eastern Sky dome and Middle Clearings. The park acts as a moderator: it proposes a variety of beaches, of gardens, of places and offer to the people of Taichung sensual experiences, partly based on the principle of senses of Rudolf Steiner, with twelve Fields -Speech, Taste, Hearing, Equilibrium, Thinking, Vision, Movement, Ego, Touch, Warmth, Smell, Life- providing visitors with places of gaming, meeting or just walk around powerful landscapes. It propose a unique public space where one can feel good, and can spend good time protected from the heat, where you can relax away from pollution, where you could have fun in the open air with your children. The park is the essential and necessary one today, of well-being, of comfort and sensual pleasures to bring to the inhabitants of big metropolitan cities.
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Open in Atlas MapFrequently Asked Questions
How long does the Taichung architecture walking tour take?+
The self-guided walking tour covers approximately 13.3 km with 3 stops. Allow approximately 4 hours including 20 minutes of viewing time per building.
Is the Taichung architecture tour free?+
Yes, this is a completely free self-guided walking tour. You can view the route on the interactive map, export it to Google Maps for navigation, and explore at your own pace.
Do I need to book the Taichung architecture tour in advance?+
No booking is required — this is a self-guided tour that you can start at any time. All buildings can be viewed from the outside. For guided tours with expert commentary, we recommend checking GetYourGuide for local architecture tours.
What is the best time to do the Taichung architecture walking tour?+
Morning light (before 11am) is ideal for photography of building facades. Weekdays tend to be less crowded around commercial buildings. Allow a full half day for the complete tour.