Changhua high-speed rail station wins Architizer award

2016/04/22

Changhua high-speed rail station in central Taiwan was named April 12 popular choice winner of the Architizer A-plus Awards in the bus and train stations category, further enhancing the country’s reputation as a hotbed of innovative architectural design.

Beating out more than 100 submissions from around the world, the structure reached the finals of the awards conducted by the leading U.S.-headquartered architecture database. It went on to outpoll Austria’s Vienna Central Station, the Netherland’s Arnhem Central Masterplan and Delft Station, and the U.S.’s Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center.

The greenhouse-like station is fronted by a large multipaned glass wall providing uninterrupted views of the rural landscape and enabling sunlight to stream through the spacious concourse. Curved columns channel in more sunlight, as well as natural breezes to keep the building cool all year round.

Designed by renowned Taiwan architect Kris Yao, the split-level structure incorporates the elegance of flowers and inspires comparisons with rice paddies. Flower and rice growing are signature sectors in Changhua—a county often described as the breadbasket of Taiwan.

Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. Chairman Victor Liu said the station’s cutting-edge technology complements the flowering fields and idyllic scenery of Changhua, putting travelers in touch with the local culture. “The award-winning structure strengthens the agritourism industry and is certain to help attract increasing numbers of tourists from home and abroad.”

The Architizer honor is testament to the commitment of THSR and the local government to promoting regional growth through infrastructure construction, Liu added.

In recent years, such efforts have paid handsome dividends around Taiwan. Public construction projects capitalizing on stunning natural environments and unique features are spurring development of local culture and tourism. Another outstanding example is the Yao-designed National Palace Museum Southern Branch in Chiayi County, southern Taiwan.

Taiwan is ushering in a new era of advances in boosting the aesthetic and economic appeal of urban and rural regions, springboarding off the success of a slew of world-class infrastructure projects.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=244041&ctNode=2194&mp=9)