Jinmen, an archipelago in the western part of the Taiwan Strait, was in the past a strategically important point in the defense of the Republic of China against the PRC, and now its main port, also called Jinmen, links Taiwan and other islands of the Republic of China with mainland China as a transit point for passenger and commercial traffic. The participants of the competition were given a difficult task - to combine the tourist and recreational functions with the efficient functioning of the international cruise terminal. The center is expected to receive 5 million passengers a year. The organizers immediately set clear milestones for the project and set its budget at NT $ 62 million.
The competition was held in 2 stages. To participate in the second stage, 5 finalist teams were selected, which, together with Taiwanese architects, finalized their projects. Based on the results of these works, the jury selected three main prize-winners and awarded two honorable mentions.
1st prize. Junya Ishigami + Associates (Japan) and Bio Architecture Formosana (Taiwan)
An oasis in the hills
Junya Ishigami is known in Russia as the winner of the Chernikhov Prize and the winner of the competition for the reconstruction of the Polytechnic Museum in Moscow. In addition, he received the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale in 2010.
As a sign of a new era in the relationship between the Kinmen Islands and China, the authors sought to create an "oasis where everyone - both locals and guests - feel in harmony with themselves." Therefore, the passenger center is designed as a 500-meter park, similar to a "beautiful mountain range". A series of tiered roofs transform the building into a three-dimensional landscape where visitors can walk. The wavy silhouette of the terminal is visible from the ship long before arriving on the island; as we approach the land, according to the authors' plan, the city is gradually shown in the crevices among the "hills".
In addition to the poetic image, the project of the winners is distinguished by a competent engineering solution: the arrangement of windows on high roof slopes will allow the sea breeze to enter the interior of the building, and a carefully thought-out plan for planting vegetation on the roof surface will create a rich ecological system in an artificial environment.
2nd prize. Tom Wiscombe Architecture (USA) and Fei & Cheng Associates / Philip T. C. Fei (Taiwan)
Jinmen's futuristic future
Los Angeles-based architects drew inspiration from the Jinmen culture. Bold combinations of materials, scale and motion vectors in the solution of the passenger center are also inherent in the local architecture, and the complex dynamic silhouette of the terminal resembles the rooftops of Kinmen houses. Citrus colors (reds, oranges, yellows and greens) have been used in the terminal's interior to create an abundance of color effects while reflecting the interior of the island.
The structure of the building consists of 5 multifunctional crystal blocks, united by a shell of perforated metal panels. Crystals protrude from the base of the building, as if stretching the shell in different directions, which creates smooth transitions of horizontal surfaces to vertical ones. Thus, the building, being in fact a group of several volumes, appears as a whole.
The architects also thought out a functional solution: the blocks are arranged so as to guide and orient visitors, and the levels in them are divided in accordance with the flows of arriving and departing passengers. In the lower part, commercial areas are concentrated, and in the upper part, all the "port" areas are located - first of all, the administration.
The structural scheme is based on a grid of columns 8 x 8. The complex can be easily reorganized and expanded if it is necessary to change its structure or increase the passenger traffic.
3rd prize. Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects (USA) and EDS International Inc (Taiwan).
Terminal promenade
Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects, also a California-based bureau, combined terminal functions with a seaside park in their proposal. They tried to preserve the connection of the island with the sea: the center is raised above the ground so as to preserve the view of the water, and a promenade runs along the coast. The building acts as a beacon for arriving passengers, and its structure echoes the island's hilly landscape.
The volume of the building is created from a grid of folded triangular planes that also form the structure of the park around it. Glazed openings at the folds of the triangles allow for natural light and views of the park from within the center.
The new terminal park contains cultural infrastructure for travelers and local residents. Among them are gardens, ponds and spaces for concerts and exhibitions and other events.
Honorable Mention.
Miralles Tagliabue EMBT SLP (Spain) and Shou Dong-Gang and Su Mao-Pin Architect (Taiwan)
Like other participants, Miralles Tagliabue thoroughly approached the study of the context: the axis of the terminal's development is set by the existing landmarks - Mount Tashan and the city.
In addition, at the very beginning, right after visiting the site, the architects decided that it was very important to maintain a visual connection with the sea. Therefore, the main building of the center is divided into several parts to provide everyone with access to water. Also, a beautiful sea view opens from the roof of the terminal.
The height and volume of the building correlates with the wavy lines of the landscape. An important role in the project is played by the themes of nature (public spaces are connected with each other and with the sea by green corridors) and sustainable development (along these corridors, solar panels are installed on pergolas).
Honorable Mention.
Josep Mias Gifre and Mias Engineering Limited (Spain) and Tai Architect & Associates (Taiwan)
Marine umbrellas
For the passenger center in Jinmen, architects from the Josep Mias Gifre studio proposed a huge park with indoor and outdoor areas. Light is the protagonist of this project.
The terminal's covered spaces are formed by awnings in the form of huge umbrellas, the shells of which can be made of glass, plastic or even fabric, which will allow sunlight to penetrate the interiors.
Participant of the 1st stage.
Bureau APTUM (Switzerland)
A distinctive feature of the APTUM project is the patio of the monofunctional units and the large cantilever roof.
Participant of the 1st stage.
Bureau KAMJZ (Poland)
Polish architects proposed to add an additional function to the complex - a bicycle terminal, fitting it into the existing network of bicycle routes on the island - WichU and City Bike.
