BIG architects: TEK building

‘TEK building’ by BIG in taipei, taiwan all images courtesy BIG

danish practice bjarke ingels group has designed a 53,000 m2 public urban block in taipei, taiwan. ‘TEK’, which measures 57 x 57 x 57m, is a cubic structure that hosts a spiraling street of activities related to contemporary technology and media.

‘TEK’, which stands for ‘technology, entertainment and knowledge center taipei’, takes full advantage of its site by coiling together the public street within its volume. leading the public from the street level to the roof garden, the ascending spiral serves as the anchor to a number of programs, including shops, showrooms, offices, conference rooms, exhibition spaces, restaurants and galleries. the layout is organized to best provide for each facility: daylight sensitive programs such as hotel rooms and offices resides on the perimeter, while retail and exhibition spaces occupy the core.

perspective view

street view

the entire volume is finished in concrete lamellas, a system of stacked plate-like pieces that provide solar shading as well as aid in public access. featuring moments of wide recession, the facade becomes a generous public staircase while on the roof level, the inward form  accommodates an arena-like space for informal social gatherings.

entrance and plaza

interior view

opening in the structure

looking into the spiral walkway

rooftop level

public space

rendered flyby

night view

site

a number of public facilities is brought and coiled together in a spiral format

upper left) plazas – the cute is rotated slightly on the site to generate outdoor space for four dedicated plazas. (upper right) program – an L-shaped hotel faces the west and north while retail and showrooms are sandwiched around a central auditorium. (lower left) sustainability – a green roof forms a cooling canopy which will drive the relatively cooler air down the spiral trajectory. (lower right) circulation – the central spiral serves as the primary route while a system of escalators directly beneath the spiral provides interior connections. four stair and elevator cores are positioned at each corner for efficient vertical movement.

the effects of the louver-like lamellas (left) summer (right) winter

model shots

site plan

floor plan / level +4

floor plan / level +5

floor plan / level +6

floor plan / level +8

section

spiral circulation

project info:

client: taiwan land development corporation consultants: realities united, arup size: 53,000 m2 partner in charge: jakob lange project leader: cat huang team: allyson hiller, xi chen, esben vik, johan cool, xu li, gaeton brunet