Taichung Convention Center / MAD Architects

MAD Architects shared their recently completed design for the Taichung Convention Center with us.  Conceived as “a continuous weave of architecture and landscape that blurs the boundary between architecture, public space and urban landscape, proposing a futuristic vision based on the East’s naturalistic philosophy,” the convention center is the first project in Taiwan commissioned by the Taichung city government.  The project is meant to surpass the traditional metropolitan landmark to become something that pushes Taichung “into the arena of world class cultural cities…. through unique architectural concepts and proposing a new kind of architectural philosophy.”
More about the convention center and more images after the break.

The form, with its crater-shaped formation and rotundas, is an abstracted representation of the existing landscape conditions.  ”It simultaneously shapes and influences the surrounding environment, opening up a dialogue between architecture and landscape,” explained the architects.

The project’s billowing skin is a high-tech, eco-friendly pleated skin system.  The envelope provides enough air flow through the building to naturally ventilate the spaces, and the pleating integrates a double photovoltaic glass that will reduce energy consumption levels.  The materiality of the “eco-skin” changes as one side is transparent to allow light to penetrate the interiors, while the other side is solid.

Although there are individual “mountains”, the project was conceived as a whole, and open courtyards connect the pieces to create an integrated sequence of outdoor spaces.  “This project seeks greater meaning in its non-material qualities, spaces encircled with the utmost naturalistic spirit,” concluded MAD.
All images courtesy of MAD.