Architecture Design
City Display - Tourist Center
Zhongshan Tourist Center is a project I designed in my sophomore year. The design goal is to create a tourist center in liner park near the intersection of Nanjing West Road, providing passengers with advisory services and the use of public toilets.
.png)
The plaza needs a more apparent function.
The linear park was originally where the railway passed, but after the railway turned underground, It transformed into a park to provide greenery for the city. However, the plaza lacked proper seating space and shade, and most people walked briskly.
1. High cost for venue construction when holding an event.
The linear park near Nanjing West Road is currently an empty plaza whenever there is an event; many installations and event signboards are needed to create the space.
2. Missing Landmark Image
Zhongshan Station is one of the must-visit places in Taipei. Many foreign tourists with backpacks look forward to seeing what Taipei has to offer. However, the linear park needs a more precise image for tourists to take photos.
3. Excellent Park
In the north of the linear park, many quiet spaces provide greenery that urban life lacks. But, unfortunately, most of them go shopping in nearby shops instead of exploring the park.
To better understand people's behavior, I spent three hours around the site to observe, and I concluded my observations into a diagram.
More people near Nanjing West Road may be waiting for people, hailing taxis, or dancing hip-hop. But farther away from Nanjing West Road, most residents walk, dogs walk, and chat under the trees.
.png)
1. Create a semi-enclosing space with shade and a circulated path.
2. Create several multi-level terraces and eye-catching facades to allow space display or performance.
3. Design clear entry indicators to guide visitors into the linear park.
My design concept is "Stage of the City" since it is the most popular place in Taipei. Not only close to department stores and has many small shops in the adjacent area.
Stage, as it is for a place to showcase, to exhibit. If passersby can see information about events and exhibitions in Taipei and can use the space for events, then this space will be more than just a visitor center.
The program of the building includes public toilets and tourist information stations. When I designed the building in my sophomore year, I only created the building on the east side to meet the constraints of the studio's request.
The multi-level terraces offer a variety of open spaces. In the morning, high ceilings and large areas of glazing provide sufficient light into the interior of the service space. The room's light can also become an indicator of the linear park in the evening.
After reflecting on where this design could have been better, I made some adjustments to the plan, in which I integrated the old MRT exit into the new design. In addition, transforming the MRT station entrance and linking it with the tourist center establishes a clearer entrance image. The overpass connecting the MRT station entrance and the pavement has also been redesigned with an apparent linear element to invite passers-by to explore the linear park.
.png)
.png)
