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Architects: H.P. Chueh Architects & Planners
- Area: 29700 m²
- Year: 2012
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Photographs:AdDa Zei
In 2001, the Taipei City Government chose to relocate the Taipei Flower Wholesale Market and transform it into an International Flower Trade Center. Contrary to the market’s previous temporal location, the new site is located within an industrial urban context allowing convenient transportation. Subsequently, the new location merges logistical distribution and includes program for exhibition, education, and urban activities.
The site is located in Neihu, just 20 mins away from downtown Taipei straddling Ming Shan Street.
The total site area is a generous 28,764 sqm. West of Ming Shan Street is a larger site for cut flowers while the East site is reserved for the sale of plants. A bridge connects the two sites allowing commercial opportunities and diversifying the commuter experience. This new flower market aims to unite logistic industry, retail, tourism, and education as a new hub within the city.
Massing and Urban Experience
Contextually, the project is surrounded by logistical industries such as supermarkets and shipping companies. In comparison, the Flower Market requires large semi-open spaces such as loading areas, circulation for different kinds of vehicles, and large multi-use spaces. The design strategy is to lift an urban roof containing required programs to cover the semi-open spaces. This gesture serves to separate pedestrians from vehicles while allowing different activities to happen simultaneously.
Architectural Landscape
Landscape plays an important role in the design strategy creating separations and connections. The landscape “ramp” along pedestrian circulation defines the main flower logistic area boundary and provides green spaces for the public. In addition, a fifteen meter set back from the South site boundary, provides a plaza towards the main entrance and leads people to a second floor public space through landscape-integrated stairs.
Elevation Color System
Since visual identity is a main concern of the project, the building transfers floral color sequences to the facade’s louver system. Spanning the length of the site, colorful panels on the facade aim to distinguish the program from its industrial context.
Program [West Wing]
This larger site is mainly for cut flower auctions and distribution. The urban roof provides lifted spaces and the opportunity for future expansion. The loading area, auction room, and distribution area are located on the first floor of the North end while the South end houses 163 retail shops. Customers can be brought to the second floor through interior retail areas or exterior landscape access. The second floor provides more public space for flower utility shops, restaurants, and outdoor parking and the main volume on the North end contains all administrative affiliates.
