Taichung City Cultural Center Taiwan by RTA-Office - Taiwan

Architects:RTA-Office
Project: Taichung City Cultural Center
Location: Taichung, Taiwan
Site area: 2.6 hectares
Built-up Area: 62.700 m2
Program: Library, Conference hall, Museum, Archive, Classrooms, Research rooms, Offices, Public services and Parking
Completion Date: 2013 competition entry
Landscape Design: Santiago Parramón, RTA-Office
Interior Design: Santiago Parramón, RTA-Office
Team: Miguel Vilacha, Isabel Granell, Javier Gonzalez, Alex Muntean, Teodor Cozma, Elisa Ascari, FeiFeiZhang, Chunhui Tian, Shoaib Asif, Lindsey J. Hirsch, Simona Assiero Brá.
Environmental and energy consultants: Fabian Lopez, Daniel Calatayud.
Client: Taichung City
Total Construction Budget: 62 million euro

Our proposal is strongly based on the idea of a container — a unique vessel that encompasses a multitude of architectural objects, various spaces, and the relationships between them. Inspiration for the design of our shape was derived from traditional Taiwanese basket weaving.

The final result is a unitary transparent skin that allows stolen glimpses of the complexity that lies inside.

Thus this object becomes a contemporary interpretation of an ancient traditional art and culture. Comprised of thin lines of recycled ceramic elements, the skin gently filters the light that reaches the interior and enhances the shapes of the volume. The skin of our design not only serves to enhance the aesthetic value of the building, but it also reduces our impact on the natural environment by taking advantage of passive technologies such as solar shading and natural day lighting.

source: RTA-Office