CONCEPT
View from the Gateway Park
© AP Arquitetos . Published on June 06, 2013.
The building´s concept derives from an everyday element of Taiwanese routine: bamboo. Bamboo is a natural item that has countless uses in oriental traditions. This project focuses on the ability of this element to be multifaceted. The concept abstracts many different characteristics of bamboo trees and apply them into the architecture. From its structural ability to withstand high wind speeds to its capacity to absorb as much CO2 as 3 trees combined. Geometrically, the building is a combination of several circles in different dimensions, elaborated in order to create a fabric – based on the bamboo cell – which is the basis for all plans. From this base, all rooms have been located in order to better suit the program. The circular geometry enhances the sensation of the architecture, and also creates infinite perspectives of the interior and exterior of the complex. Even more that creating a symbol for the city the composition of this new cultural center was created from a design process that resulted in a form. The architectural spectacle created was the result of a thought, a concept. It is believed that an idea can generate a form. Never a form to generate an idea.
View from the elevated square
© AP Arquitetos . Published on June 06, 2013.
PROGRAM
Permanent Exhibition
© AP Arquitetos . Published on June 06, 2013.
As for the program, it has been divided vertically. To comprehend the program, one must grasp it from the vertical axis. To better suit all site regulations – in height and distance from surrounding structures – the building has been placed in the middle of the site, maintaining all distances from neighbours and to better relate to the city and its population.
Hall of Museum
© AP Arquitetos . Published on June 06, 2013.
ELEVATED SQUARE
View from the literature floor
© AP Arquitetos . Published on June 06, 2013.
The building has been elevated in 10m from ground level to maximize the relation city – building - park. This relation is very important in this proposal, being the building part of the view, along with the park and the convention centre. From the ground floor all visitors can either sightsee the ground floor square, of climb to th centre of the complex to the elevated square. On the elevated square all visitors can either descent to the museum, or climb to the library. This gesture has been proposed to democratically allow all visitors the possibility to view the park and the city of Taichung.
Bamboo Concept
© AP Arquitetos . Published on June 06, 2013.
RELATION BETWEEN ARCHITECTURE AND TAICHUNG GATEWAY PARK
Sustainability Concept
© AP Arquitetos . Published on June 06, 2013.
This proposal considers the building as an addendum of the Taichung Gateway Park, and it is intended to maximize the synergy between these two key players. Such synergy is made by freeing the connection between the city and the park, making possible for citizens and users to use the park, as well as the convention centre, through the complex, and vice-versa. Although the connection is paramount for the relation between architecture and vegetation, the most important aspect is the visual relation. All elevated volumes from the museum, which constitute the program of the library, have been placed next to the entrance of the city, close to the street. This gesture allows for the elevated square to be turned to the park, and maintain a close relation with it. It also allows for the openings of the library to view the elevated square in foreground; the park; and Taichung´s skyline in background. It is a strong psychological feature, which permits library users to view the greenery of the park while reading/studying.
Sustainability Concept
© AP Arquitetos . Published on June 06, 2013.
SUSTAINABILITY
Zoning
© AP Arquitetos . Published on June 06, 2013.
Sustainability is a key feature of the complex. The proposal takes into consideration different sort of sustainability, either passively or actively. Passive sustainability is the sort of environmental upgrade that a building can have by using tools that already are part of the building process in a different way. An example of that is better orienting the architecture in the site to maximize natural illumination and ventilation. Activ sustainability is the application of technology to generate alternative means of producing electricity for the complex. Passively, the building takes into consideration the orientation of the building on the site allowing the North East wind to flow into it and naturally cool the building, horizontally or through chimney effect. Such action allows the building to have temperate climate without unnecessary use of air conditioner. The use of shading devices on the exterior facade permits that natural illumination enters the building, also allowing the building to be naturally lit without the use of unnecessary light. Actively the complex generates energy in many different ways. Initially it is intended to harves the Sun of Taichung – which is very intense all year – as one of the contributors, installing photovoltaic solar panels, as well as solar water heaters on the roof of the complex. Wind is also abundant in the region, therefore wind turbines have been installed on structura towers located in different points of the complex. Maximizing the relation of the complex witth wave making pool, other than making this relation only visual, the proposal also intends to make it sustainable. The large quantities of water placed in the pool can also serve as a coolin device for the mechanical ventilation and humidification of the architecture. The water is pumped into the building, used on the ventilation system as a coolant, and then return to the pool. Local materials have been proposed in order to generate incentives for Taichung´s suppliers, a well as craftsmen. The proposed radius for suppliers is 800km. Independently of the kind of sustainability, the proposal takes into consideration social, environmental, financial and cultural issues, intending to make this a local building, with local characteristics and identity.
Aerial View
© AP Arquitetos . Published on June 06, 2013.