Tainan City, Taiwan
Keng-Fu Lo and his team at Chain10 Architecture & Interior Design Institute have designed the housing development Green Oasis for Tai-Jia Development to be completed in 2026, showing how architecture can put nature back into the urban environment.
For its nature-based design, Green Oasis has recently been awarded a 2022 Green Good Design Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
The property is close to the Tainan landmark Yuguang Island, which is known for its ecological diversity where migratory birds come to visit as the seasons change.
The project’s proximity to this special place creates a close-to-nature atmosphere.
The goal of the project was thus to bring nature back to the city through architecture.
Chain10 believes such goals aid sustainable development and should guide every architect in every project.
For this project, this goal was achieved by blending the immediate environment with that of the habitat at the site.
Water is a key natural element in Taiwan, thus, it is something embraced in every Chain10 project.
The outer landscape pool surrounds the building so that when air passes over the water, it naturally reduces the temperature that reaches the building.
Floor-to-ceiling glass was used to maintain the connection between interior spaces and the exterior environment, while still reducing the impact of the abundant sunlight.
In such a sun-rich environment, the external temperature should have a reduced impact on the internal one.
The building design thus lets the air quickly improve the indoor air quality so that the influence of the ground heat is minimized.
Hot air rises, naturally cooling the space below and leading to a comfortable climate for residents.
Plenty of shadows are created due to the structure and other shading mechanisms.
This is not only because of the strategic use of glass but also because of the suspended shading elements of the project.
This project is also about creating public space in a high-rise building, including reception and reading space.
Leisure and entertainment areas include a fitness space and outdoor swimming pool, surrounded by landscaped pools and deeply planted natural green slopes.
The public spaces use different modules to take in the light; the space has a different appearance of light and shadow over time with light-permeable glass encompassing it.
Viewed from the outside, pedestrians can appreciate the different elevations, enhancing the feeling of community.
The use of particular architectural systems blends the inside and outside, further underlying how humans and nature should coexist harmoniously.
Chain10 believes that all life is closely related, and human existence should be accompanied by the rapid expansion of environmental conservation policies.
Reduced consumption of natural environment resources is critical, but also attention must be paid to organic life, soil, water conservation, and biodiversity.
Project: Green Oasis
Architects: Chain10 Architecture & Interior Design Institute
Design Team: Keng-Fu Lo
Client: Tai-Jia Development Co., Ltd
Images Courtesy of the Architects
