Since the Taiwan Power Co. was established in 1946, it has until recently occupied the same office building on Taipei's Hoping East Road. As the company's responsibilities and employees increased the one story structure soon proved inadequate. One by one, 19 units were transferred to other buildings, until finally Taipower decided to construct a large headquarters to house all its departments and workers under one roof. This increased efficiency while at the same time reducing rent and paper work.
In 1976 Taipower began budgeting for the NT$2.5 billion (US$62.5 million) high-rise building, and by 1979 all the necessary money had been raised. Because of the high cost of land in Taipei, Taipower decided on a high-rise structure to house all its 3,000 administrative employes.
The 27-story structure, the tallest in Taiwan, was the first high rise to be totally designed and constructed by citizens of the Republic of China. The plans called for the use of prefabricated materials which cut construction time in half, from six years to only three.
One of the most unusual features of the building is its "floating base," whose principles are similar to those used in ocean-going vessels. The entire structure rests within the foundation, but no piles are driven directly into the earth, designed to reduce earthquake damage, the method also requires that the weight of the structure is equivalent to that of the earth excavated in foundation work.
The "soft girder" construction system also reduces earthquake damage. Under this, a few millimeters are left between girders, so that the structure moves with the movement of the earth. The Taipower Building can withstand an earthquake of 8 magnitude on the Richter scale, higher than any recorded so far in Taiwan.
Regulations in force at the headquarters forbid employees to smoke, eat, drink tea, chat, or read newspapers while they are working, to promote efficiency and health. Areas have been set aside for such activities, however.
Employee response has shown that the Taipower building is not only the nation's tallest and largest, but also that its management techniques make it a model for the running of companies and offices all over Taiwan.
[Picture Caption]
1. This small conference room is exclusively for administrators who are department heads or higher. 2. For security reasons, all visitors must sign in at the desk before going upstairs. 3. The Taipower Building lobby. Visitors can meet employees here rather than upstairs. 4,5. The Taipower Building is the largest and tallest in the country.
1. Managers are given the small offices on the sides. 2. The conference room can hold up to 300 people. It can also be broken up into four small rooms. 3. The briefing room can hold 83 people. 4. From this control room, the power needs of the whole island can be monitored and met. 5. Below the building is a three-story parking garage.
2. For security reasons, all visitors must sign in at the desk before going upstairs.
3. The Taipower Building lobby. Visitors can meet employees here rather than upstairs.
4,5. The Taipower Building is the largest and tallest in the country.
4,5. The Taipower Building is the largest and tallest in the country.
1. Managers are given the small offices on the sides.
2. The conference room can hold up to 300 people. It can also be broken up into four small rooms.
3. The briefing room can hold 83 people.
4. From this control room, the power needs of the whole island can be monitored and met.
5. Below the building is a three-story parking garage.
@List.jpg?w=522&h=410&mode=crop&format=webp&quality=80)
