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Architects
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Location
New Taipei City, Taiwan -
Project Year
2013
Text description provided by the architects. Mackay Medical College phase II consists of a teaching and research building, a multifunctional sports center and a dormitory, situated close by the coastal area, the complex adopts an enfolded layout to block out the unpleasant northeast seasonal wind in the winter. Corridors are built to connect the existing and the new facilities to create several multifunctional open spaces and to provide a comfortable learning environment.
The design of the new facilities preserves the key elements from the existing buildings, and incorporates characteristics specific to the campus such as mountain, ocean, wind, forest, rock, water, sunshine, local fauna, and particularly, the ” Mackayian” spirit.
Teaching and Research Building
In honor of Dr. Mackay’s legendary self-sacrifice, the motto of the school—“Rather burn out, than rust out”, was transformed onto an iconic green wall on the front façade of the building. Corridors are used in between the existing and the new buildings with several communion spaces inserted along the route to enhance accessibility and user interaction.
Multifunctional Sports Center
The form of the multifunctional sports center echoes upon the shape of the local ventifacts in Sanzhi District, symbolizes Dr. Mackay’s determination—“Here I plant the cornerstone of the church.” The building consists of two main spaces; an assembly hall and a gymnasium. The two spaces are accessed from separate levels to avoid circulation interference and facilitate exiting.
Dormitory
Responding to the site condition, the dormitory is broken down into several volumes that gently follow the upward topography with corridors connecting to each area. Each volume is separated but correlated at the same time, indicating the verse from the Bible;” I am the vine, you are the branches”, symbolizing the intimate relationship between human being and God. Spatial hierarchy is created through various spatial sizes and level of privacy. All housing quarters are oriented to face north and south to optimize natural light gain and ventilation to create an enjoyable accommodation experience.
