Project Overview
In the 19 Century, Taiwan began to develop its tea industry. At that time, Tea, Sucrose and Camphor were called "The Treasure of Taiwan,” sold all over the world with the famous name of "Formosa.” Tong-Luo-Quan, located at the Longtan District in Taoyuan, was the second biggest tea plantation during that period. Yet, due to the tea industry shifting, industrialized society and different changes along the way Taiwan had been facing, the tea industries gradually declined.
Project Commissioner
Office of Public Construction, Taoyuan
Project Creator
Team
Chen Yueh hsing
Luo Chieh
Project Brief
In recent years, the government actively plans to develop the tea industries, continuously pushing for new projects of tea plantation garden renovation, tea sightseeing factory and tea historical museum, etc. Rebranding the Tong-Luo-Quan area with the new identity of Hakka Tea Culture, the government established the first “Hakka Tea Culture Development Center” wishing to start the Renaissance of Taiwan Tea Industry through this project.
Project Innovation/Need
While entering the site, the first impression on the tea garden is its full blossom on the slope. The designers wish to shape the site landscape just as tea garden’s ups and downs on the hill ridge. Focusing on the landscape architecture, the project has 70% of the buildings purposely embedded and arranged under the ground, covered with soil and plantation such as tea trees, bamboos and Taiwan Acacia that represent Hakka culture.
The entrance with retaining walls and soil slope guide guests from the entry hall to the ground level, which is the start of the spatial experience on four transitions of spiritual stages: to balance, calm, purify and complete. These four steps are the emotional changes in mind one can experience while drinking tea. Through a clear guiding direction of the flow, visitors can experience a significant tea cultural collection through guided tours, tea gardens, tea tasting, food, view observation, et cetera, all kinds of rich and fun content. Through the diverse changes of the space, people can for real sense the philosophy of tea tasting: the four stages of its experience.
Design Challenge
Based on the traditional Hakka spirit of reservedness and frugality, the designers did not choose to decorate excessively. Instead, they apply local materials to express the architectural language. Through use of bricks, bamboos, soil, and pebbles these kind of locally produced building materials, as well by authentic method of constructions like Hakka brick kiln, rammed-earth wall, tea shelter with wood, and pebbles embankment, the whole project can thus connect with the local environment and people who live around it.
Sustainability
This project applies ecological construction methods that echo with the site’s original landscape and environmental reconstruction ideas. Through soil and water conservation of the tea garden, high percentage of the diverse plantation, earth sheltered architecture, retarding basins, the construction processes and the result shall reduce its impact on the environment, getting closer to the sustainable goal.
Not only is the landscape architecture inspired by the local environment, most of the plantation chosen are indigenous plants that represent Hakka culture. The plants are also self-propagating, seasonal ornamental plants, and suitable for the local climate.
In addition, the whole building is not only certified as a green building, it is also a smart building. With 80% of the organic tea plantation coverage and the retarding basin installation, water and soil conservation is improved and flood peak discharge is reduced. Energy efficient installations, equipment and design are applied, such as soil-sheltered construction, skylight construction, and huge French windows, contributing to its aesthetics, better ventilation and good natural lighting.
Landscape Design - International
This award celebrates creativity and innovation in the use of practical, aesthetic, horticultural, and environmentally sustainability components, taking into account climate, site and orientation, site drainage and irrigation, human and vehicular access, furnishings and lighting.
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