Taiwan Architecture Award winners unveiled

2015/11/06

The winners of the Taiwan Architecture Award were named Nov. 2 by Taipei City-based Taiwan Architects Association, highlighting the growing focus on innovative green construction practices across the nation.

Chosen from 201 submissions, the winning projects were praised for combining environmentally friendly materials and building methods with captivating design concepts.

The top honor went to Yunlin Agricultural Ecological Park by D.Z. Architects and Associates. Structures at the site, including the entrance, restaurant and pavilion, were built with local Moso bamboo, which is light, flexible and strong, and has a life span of 30 to 50 years. Due to the use of this material, carbon emissions produced in the construction process were a mere 2 percent of the average for a steel building.

Kung Shu-chan, head of the Graduate Institute of Architecture at National Chiao Tung University and a judge for the award, said the project earned the prize for its groundbreaking approach to environmental sustainability. “Although bamboo structures are not yet prevalent, the buildings at the site reveal the material revolution taking place in the industry.”

This year’s excellence awards were picked up by the Dharma Drum Institute of Liberal Arts in New Taipei City and the R04 Building of Taichung Cultural and Creative Industries Park.

Designed by Kris Yao Artech, the institute located on a hillside is significant due to its lack of earth-retaining walls. To minimize its impact on the surrounding environment, the structure features 1,590 steps that enable it to seamlessly rise with the natural slope of the hill.

“The design blends in with the landscape through the use of overpasses, platforms and open corridors, allowing students to fully immerse themselves in the surrounding natural environment,” Kung said.

For the R04 Building, meanwhile, Arctangent Architecture and Design transformed an old bottle-washing factory into an eye-catching contemporary structure, while converting the facility’s original machinery into an art installation.

“This structure combines modern construction methods and historical memories,” said Chiu Wen-chieh, a judge and architect-in-residence at National Cheng Kung University.

Another entry that struck a chord with the judges was special award winner Green Factory by Wu Ming-jet and Architerior Design. The project consisted of a temporary pavilion for a vegetable-planting activity in Taipei City. It was taken down last year after the end of the event.

“Although it no longer exists, the facility boosted interactions among local communities and its former site still serves as a gathering place today,” Kung said.

Launched in 1979, the Taiwan Architecture Award aims to promote innovation and sustainable construction practices in the nation’s architectural sector.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=238523&ctNode=2194&mp=9)