vincent callebaut architectures unveils swallow's nest

vincent callebaut architectures unveils ‘swallow’s nest’ all images courtesy of vincent callebaut architectures

vincent callebaut architectures designs ‘the swallows nest’ as a faceted gem of culture anchoring the northeast entrance to taichung gateway park in taiwan. formerly an airfield, the space is being developed as an urban ecosystem in the shui nan ecological gateway district of taichung city. the building’s form is a triangle rotated 80 times around an elliptical möbius strip. as it spirals around an ellipse, the volume elevates from the ground plane, leaving vaulted apertures to the central void, which becomes the ‘endless patio’. vertices of the geometry sink below ground, creating a large lobby with reception, ticketing, shops, and cafes. a glass canopy hovers at ground level, opening the space to direct sunlight, and providing a feature in the courtyard above. a hall connects this subterranean space to the convention center, workshops, and archives. the lowest levels consist of underground parking and systems of protection from natural disasters.

 ‘the swallows nest’  anchors the northeast entrance to taichung gateway park in taiwan 

the ‘endless patio’ opens to the park through three archways 

curving volumes with sharp edges intertwine and frame the landscape 

one level underground a glass canopy protects the ticket area and lobby

the form leaves the interior uninterrupted by structure, maximizing the flexibility of the space

the structure of vaulted spaces and double-deck floors leaves high ceilings for culturally significant art of all sizes 

site plan of shui nan ecological gateway district of taichung city

(left): permeability through the swallow’s nest at ground level connects the ‘endless patio’ to the park(center): circulation through the building(right): roof plan

structural diagram from park avenue 

structural diagram from the gateway park

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project info:

project : taichung city cultural center / public library and fine arts museumlocation : taichung, taiwantype : international competitionhost organization : construction bureau, taichung city government “tgc”sponsor : cultural affairs bureau, taichung city government “cab”project title : taichung city cultural center planning, design and construction supervision service projectcontract performance location : xitun district, taichung citysurface area : 62.720 m²budget : nt$ 2.410.000.000team : vincent callebaut, frederique beck, julien combes, benoit patterlini