Taiwan Today
Date: April 21, 2016
Changhua high-speed rail station in central Taiwan was named April 12 popular
Greenhouse-like THSR Changhua Station joins a growing list of Taiwan structures bagging international architecture accolades in recent years. (Courtesy of Kris Yao Artech)
choice winner of the Architizer A-plus Awards in the bus and train stations category, further enhancing the country’s reputation as a hotbed of innovative architectural design.
Beating out more than 100 submissions from around the world, the structure reached the finals of the awards conducted by the leading U.S.-headquartered architecture database. It went on to outpoll Austria’s Vienna Central Station, the Netherland’s Arnhem Central Masterplan and Delft Station, and the U.S.’s Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center.
The greenhouse-like station is fronted by a large multipaned glass wall providing uninterrupted views of the rural landscape and enabling sunlight to stream through the spacious concourse. Curved columns channel in more sunlight, as well as natural breezes to keep the building cool all year round.
Designed by renowned Taiwan architect Kris Yao, the split-level structure incorporates the elegance of flowers and inspires comparisons with rice paddies. Flower and rice growing are signature sectors in Changhua—a county often described as the breadbasket of Taiwan. [FULL STORY]
