Honorable Mention: International Architecture Awards 2024
Taipei Changan Duan 345 Office Tower | Taipei, Taiwan | 2021

Architects: Aedas
Lead Architects: Andy Wen and Yi Jun Qian
Associate Architects: C.F. Liang & Associates Architects & Engineers
Lead Architect: C.F. Liang
Client: Highwealth Construction Co., Ltd.
Photographs Courtesy of the Architects

The project aims to create a waterfall-like office tower in a prime location near Taipei Arena. With rich Taiwanese office characteristics, it is designed to be a contemporary building with a focus of urban texture, architecture and people. The tower enjoys an excellent urban interface as well as a convenient transport connection, as it is located in the junction of major roads namely Fuxing North Road and Section 2 of Chang'an East Road. The square plot is only 15 minutes away from the landmarks including Taipei 101 and Chiang Kaishek Memorial Hall.

Adopting the aesthetics of simplicity and authentic culture, the tower drew inspiration from the Shifen Waterfall in Taipei. The motion of waterfall is perfectly captured to the bold architectural form, creating a partially undulating façade that glitters in the city. The form flows as the waterfall, creating a dynamic shape for the tower with a cascading silhouette to optimize the massing and site area. The sinuous facades with soft edges are expressed in light copper panels as the main façade element, whilst the dark brown panels are displayed through an inwardly concave arc to create a glass wall of contrasting colors. To minimize the light pollution and to create an energy-efficient building, a semi-exposed framing curtain wall is adopted by using glass panels of reflectance less than 0.25.

In order to reduce the construction difficulty and ensure the landing effect, the glass curtain wall is designed to optimize the system. By combing the plate size and combining the corner units, the space curved surface is fitted with single glass. In the place where the local shape changes dramatically, the design combines the slight dislocation of the border to optimize the original shape, reduce the warpage degree of the unit, and perfectly achieve the facade effect. Extending the fluid façade into the landscape and entrance area, white and light grey floorings are used. A recreational communal space is created with seats and greenery, hence creating a serene office environment away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The lobby greets the staff and visitors by using streamlined white marble wall and bronze fins which create a modern arrival experience. A flexible office layout consists of an outdoor balcony and rooftop garden, bringing the nature in and providing a relaxing outdoor space for interaction. The design provides a biophilic and blurred exterior-interior public space, ensuring a people-centric working environment that people can strike a balance between work and recreation. The tower marks itself as an urban icon with a simple yet powerful architectural form. It makes a strong statement on the skyline, especially with a unique urban context and aesthetics in the city.