After years of delays, the National Palace Museum yesterday unveiled the final architectural design for its southern branch and the park in which the new facility will be located.
The project, with a budget of more than NT$7.9 billion (US$268 million) and covering an area of about 70 hectares, is expected to be a new cultural and tourist attraction in the Chiayi area, museum officials said.
Two architecture firms chosen to design the museum and the overall landscaping were announced at a press conference yesterday.
Photo: Chen Yi-chuan, Taipei Times
Inspired by three different calligraphy strokes, architect Kris Yao (姚仁喜) of Taiwan designed the main structure, which consists of black and white curved buildings that meet and intertwine at each end.
A white bridge running between the buildings will allow visitors to walk past the museum without entering, Yao said.
The curves in the design symbolize the three mainstream ancient civilizations of Asia — China, India and Persia, he said, adding the intertwining also signifies the exchanges of the three cultures.
An advanced technique called “base isolation” will be used to protect the buildings from earthquake damage, Yao said.
An area of about 37 hectares has been planned for four Asian-style gardens, including a Japanese one and another featuring orchids, an important plant in southern Taiwan, said Teng Hao, director of the landscaping project.
Approved in 1994 by the Executive Yuan, the project had to surmount various obstacles, such as contract annulments, until the museum commissioned the Construction and Planning Agency to invite public bidders for the construction in 2009.
Typhoon Morakot, which struck southern Taiwan that same year, caused serious flooding at the construction site, dealing the long-delayed project another blow.
After more than two years of efforts, however, the branch is now expected to open in 2015, said Chou Kung-shin (周功鑫), director of the museum.
“It will be a great place to learn about Asian cultures,” she added.
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