Hualien Residences, a developer based in Taipei has hired Bjarke Ingles group (BIG) to transform an Industrial factory region in Hualien, Taiwan into a world-class beach resort.
© Jinho Lee
Following along the path of their past sustainable approaches, BIG creates another topographical and environmentally conscious residence.
© Cat Huang
The varied heights of undulating green roofs are designed through mimicking both the mountains to the west and the ocean to the east. This allows for the inhabitants to have spectacular views of the coast and of the two intersecting river deltas.
Courtesy of BIG
With its echo of the distant mountains, the form of the building allows for a series of ribbons to be created within the structure. These peaks and valleys create scenic walkways and connecting paths between the many buildings of the complex.While incorporating a program with residential and commercial spaces, the stripes that run east-to-west create a shading system that protect from the intense tropical environment. In addition, the green roofs act as another method of further mitigating the heat and a low energy incentive.
Project info:
Architects: BIG
Country: Taiwan, Hualien City
Year: 2015
Photographs: Jinho Lee, Cat Huang, Courtesy of BIG
Ariela is an architect, writer and editor based out of Montreal, Quebec, who has a Bachelors of Science in Architecture from McGill University. Apart from her experience as an Editor for Arch2o, Ariela has worked extensively in construction management, as well as in research for integrated parametric prototyping architectural design. Her knowledge of these dynamic fields enables her to pursue interest in diverse fields.