In order to bolster Taichung’s cultural industry after the merger of Taichung City and Taichung County, Taichung City Government planned a new cultural park in the Gateway City district. Taichung City Cultural Center, as it is called, will comprise a public library and fine arts museum. The facility will help the city adapt to post-merger changes in population, urban development and cultural environment. A facility satisfying the cultural, artistic and recreational needs of Taichung’s residents will further propel the cultural industry, link tourism and city marketing resources and enhance the city’s cultural brand.
The architecture of the Center should become a piece of art in itself and demonstrate Taichung’s creativity, aesthetics and cultural sophistication. With cutting-edge and trend-setting construction technology, it will become a landmark residents can appreciate and identify with both from up close and afar, attracting local as well as international visitors.
The architecture of Kubota & Bachmann Architects proposal combines a public library and municipal fine arts museum—the cultural flagships of a city—into one area, synergizing art, education and recreation in one location. Besides serving the public functions of reader service, exhibition and guided tour, the two institutions must also each fulfill policies and objectives related to reading promotion, artistic development and collection and research of artifacts. They will be tasked with integrating the resources of Taichung’s branch libraries and art exhibition spaces, with an eye to augment the city’s cultural services and facilities.
The main purpose of the Taichung City Cultural Center is the integration of the Gateway Park and the best practice implementation of green architectural policies.
The adjacent Babylonians slopes represent an extension of the Gateway Park path and shape the TCCC. The slopes serve as access means for the entire TCCC as well as a new walking tour of the Gateway Park. The slopes are set back one from another in order to shade the interior and protect the visitors from the sun and the heat.
TCCC will be the new landmark of Taichung, together with the Gateway Park and the Taiwan Tower. The architectural ambition of the TCCC/Gateway Park is nothing less than creating a world-leading model in sustainable architecture.
