In line with rapid economic development in the Republic of China, the architecture in the metropolis of Taipei has undergone tremendous changes. High rises have brought business, light industry, and living quarters together in the same building. The following is a detailed description of a hotel, a high-rise apartment building, an office block, and two multi-purpose commercial buildings in Taipei.
Ⅰ. National Country Mansion
The Architect magazine, published by the Taiwan Architects' Association, selected the three best examples of architecture in Taiwan in January 1979. Among the three prize-winning buildings, the National Country Mansion was the only one constructed by the private sector. The buildings are judged according to the following factors: environment (20 percent), design (35 percent), function (20 percent), structure (15 percent) and others.
Located at the junction of Fuhsing South Road and Hsinhai Road, the National Country Mansion is an L-shape building covering an area of 583.54 square meters. Painted red, orange and green, the building gives a feeling of spaciousness.
Shops occupy the ground floor of the building, and living quarters the 2nd to 12th floors, served by four elevators. Architect Sung Ming-hui said the building is designed to reduce management costs and allow residents to get acquainted with each other.
Chen Ming-nang, the site architect in charge, said: "To reduce the power of the afternoon sun, I adopted a concave-convex design. The convex part creates its own shade, while the concave wall is used to house air-conditioners." As a result of this unusual design, no air-conditioners or window grilles are visible from the outside. The uniform outlook is a reflection of the architect's skill.
Chen obtained his Master's degree in architecture at the University of Illinois, and his architect's license from Wisconsin state. During his stay in the United States, he worked as a designer at Jensen & Halstead and at Lobel Schlossman & Halkl architecture practices. During this period, he designed a three-story office for Household Finance Corporation and a three-tiered parking lot for Oak Park Hospital.
"I decided to return to my own county because there is profound relationship between humanity and architecture. A lack of understanding of the human environment can produce an architecture totally alien to the land. My roots are here," he explained.
He returned to the Republic of China in 1976, and established the Chen Dy & Associates office. Since then, Chen has designed more than 20 buildings including mansions, apartment blocks, hotels and malls. "Architects have a promising future in Taiwan because construction is booming," he said.
Ⅱ. Lion's Plaza
Gaudy movie signboards and neon signs light up theaters, department stores, garment stores, restaurants and a wide variety of shops located in Taipei's downtown Hsimenting district.
The Lion's Plaza, which won the first prize in the 8th session of the national architecture contest, stands out prominently in this district, and represents a breakthrough in design.
Situated at the junction of Wu Chang Street, Hsining South Road, and Hankou Street, the Lion's Plaza covers an area of 85 meters by 50 meters. When the plaza was being planned, the Taipei City Government persuaded the architects to leave an open square for people and vehicles. In exchange, they were allowed to extend the height of the building.
Designer Tsai Cheng-yi said: "The bargain was quite reasonable. The design has in fact made this section of Hsimenting more attractive. As the building faces three overcrowded roads, I thought it would be better to put the entrance and the square at the back of the building. In this way, we were able to provide relief for the people crowding the streets, and at the same time bring life to the plaza."
Lion's Plaza is a multi-function commercial building. From the 1st to 3rd floors is a mall shopping center, the 4th to 5th floors contain three theaters, and from the 6th to 9th floors are 600 apartments. There are three restaurants on the 10th floor, a children's playground on the top floor, a supermarket in the basement, and a parking lot in the second basement.
Tsai Cheng-yi, 37, who received his Master's degree in architecture from the Kent State University in Ohio, said: "The architects of this generation are lucky in that the many high-rise housing projects now under way in this country have provided better and many more opportunities than in most other countries for them to develop their talents fully. I think it is vital for an architect to know precisely what will be the function of a building before he designs it, so it will harmonize with the environment."
Ⅲ. Asia Commercial Plaza Taipei
Located on the Tunhua South Road and Jen Ai Road circle, the Asia Commercial Plaza Taipei is a 14-story multiple use building which houses the Far Eastern Department Store, restaurants, offices and a hotel.
The building, dominated by its curved glass curtain wall, was designed by Peng Yin-hsuan, a native of Hupei province, who graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with B.A., and from Harvard with a Master's degree in architecture.
While he was with the famed I.M. Pei & Partners Architects in New York from 1966, he designed several major projects in Singapore. He was later appointed by the government of the Republic of China to design the Chinese pavilion at EXPO' 70 in Osaka, Japan. The pavilion was chosen by American and Japanese architectural magazines as one of the five best-designed in the exhibition.
Fully immersed in Chinese culture and the Chinese life style, Peng has always wanted to contribute his professional experience and talent to his mother country. During the past few years, he has designed more than 40 buildings in Taiwan, including the Arts and Crafts Center, Pao Tung Office Building, Yi Ping Mansion, Twin Towers, Cathay Life Building, Sesame Plaza, and the Aviation Display Center at the Chiang Kai-shek International Airport.
"To boost architectural standards in Taiwan, I act as an advisor to other architects. I am only responsible for the overall design, while the details are taken care of by the architectural offices cooperating with me. In this way, I can handle seven or eight projects at a time," he said.
Turning to principles of design, Peng said while western technology should be given full rein, a building's functions must still be in keeping with Chinese traditions and customs. Today, Peng's masterpieces line main boulevards such as Tunhua South Road, Jen Ai Road, and Fuhsing North Road in Taipei.
Ⅳ. The Chang Hwa Commercial Bank
The Chang Hwa Commercial Bank on section 2 of Chungshan North Road in Taipei, was built at a cost of US$8.3 million. Among commercial buildings, the bank is perhaps the first to incorporate simple and clean-cut contours.
The 16-story building is designed to enhance the city's skyline by breaking away from the monotonous box shapes which prevailed in the past, according to the designers, Chen Chi-kuan and Shen Tzu-hai. The bank's business hall gives a good first impression to customers.
Chen Chi-kuan is a famous architect and painter who received his Master's degree in architecture from the University of Illinois, and worked with famous architects such as Walter Gropius and I. M. Pei. He is also the founder of the Department of Architecture at Tunghai University.
Shen Tzu-hai, the first president of Taipei Architects' Association, received western education at Illinois and Michigan universities. During the past 30 years, he has designed Sungshan Airport, the customs building, International Student's Activity Center, Taipei Hilton, and the office building of China Television Company, Chinese Television Service and Taiwan Television Enterprise. He is one of the most successful architects in the Republic of China.
Ⅴ. Brother Hotel
Though the appearance of the Brother Hotel is not immediately eye-catching, the design and detailed work are superb. The Architect magazine has praised it as a building "in which every inch displays the architect's style and dignity."
With its snow white walls and crimson top portion, the 14-story building has 304 guest rooms, restaurants, beauty parlor, bars, barber shops, and a shopping center. Its architect Chen Chao-wu said: "Having won the full confidence of the landlord, I had ample time to choose the raw materials and to supervise the construction work myself. Special attention has been paid to providing convenient and comfortable facilities for customers and staff. In addition, security considerations, management accessibility, and the reduction of the rate of depreciation have been emphasized."
Consequently, when the Brother Hotel was completed, it at once became the focus of attention in architectural circles. The architect treats every curve and corner of the building with refinement and attention to detail.
Chen's down-to-earth attitude has helped to build up his reputation. "I am convinced that to use available construction materials to meet the needs of everyday life is the simplest way for an architect to attain perfection."
[Picture Caption]
In line with rapid economic development in the Republic of China, high-rises in the metropolis of Taipei have brought business, light industry, and living quarters together in the same building.
The exterior (1) and interior (2 & 3) of the National Country Mansion which has been selected by the Architect magazine as one of the three best examples of architecture in Taiwan. 4. Lion's Plaza is a multi-function commercial building, accommodating mall shopping center, theaters, children's playground, offices and restaurants.
Left: The Asia Commercial Plaza Taipei is a 14-story building, which is dominated by its curved glass curtain wall. It houses the Far Eastern Department Store, restaurants, offices and a hotel. Right: The Chang Hwa Commercial Bank, incorporating simple and clean-cut contours, is designed by Chen Chi-kuan and Shen Tzu-hai.
1. The spiral staircase on the first floor of the Brother Hotel. 2. The design and detailed work at the Brother Hotel are superb. The Architect magazine has praised it as a building "in which every inch displays the architect's style and dignity." 3. A corner of the restaurant on the top floor of the Brother Hotel.
In line with rapid economic development in the Republic of China, high-rises in the metropolis of Taipei have brought business, light industry, and living quarters together in the same building.
In line with rapid economic development in the Republic of China, high-rises in the metropolis of Taipei have brought business, light industry, and living quarters together in the same building.
In line with rapid economic development in the Republic of China, high-rises in the metropolis of Taipei have brought business, light industry, and living quarters together in the same building.
In line with rapid economic development in the Republic of China, high-rises in the metropolis of Taipei have brought business, light industry, and living quarters together in the same building.
In line with rapid economic development in the Republic of China, high-rises in the metropolis of Taipei have brought business, light industry, and living quarters together in the same building.
The exterior （1） and interior （2 & 3） of the National Country Mansion which has been selected by the Architect magazine as one of the three best examples of architecture in Taiwan.
The exterior （1） and interior （2 & 3） of the National Country Mansion which has been selected by the Architect magazine as one of the three best examples of architecture in Taiwan.
The exterior （1） and interior （2 & 3） of the National Country Mansion which has been selected by the Architect magazine as one of the three best examples of architecture in Taiwan.
Lion's Plaza is a multi-function commercial building, accommodating mall shopping center, theaters, children's playground, offices and restaurants.
The Asia Commercial Plaza Taipei is a 14-story building, which is dominated by its curved glass curtain wall. It houses the Far Eastern Department Store, restaurants, offices and a hotel.
The Chang Hwa Commercial Bank, incorporating simple and clean-cut contours, is designed by Chen Chi-kuan and Shen Tzu-hai.
The spiral staircase on the first floor of the Brother Hotel.
The design and detailed work at the Brother Hotel are superb. The Architect magazine has praised it as a building "in which every inch displays the architect's style and dignity.".
A corner of the restaurant on the top floor of the Brother Hotel.
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