Text description provided by the architects. Seeking harmony with the surrounding environment, the entrances of the Cosmology Centre extend outward from a cross-shaped axis. The plaza on the eastern side reaches into the existing banyan tree park.

Atrium. Image

Floating Cube. Image

The idea of acting against the force of gravity inspired the design of a floating cube in space, structurally supported by the concrete core setback in the center.

Facade. Image

The depths of the vertical sunshades vary in a progressive sequence, so that the illusion of a sphere inside the cube can be seen outside as one moves around the building, visually experiencing a dynamic, changing facade.

Atrium. Image

Behind the external hidden sphere is a 38-meter high tubular open atrium, its height echoes with that of the Pantheon of Rome. It provides a direct communication between inside and outside, so that users indoors can directly sense the external natural environment, rain or shine, day or night.

Section

The interior facade of the atrium models the heavenly bodies, made by perforated metal claddings. It also provides visual penetration through the hallways and decreasing echoes in the atrium.

Corridor. Image

The second through eighth floors are for laboratories. There’s an outdoor viewing terrace on the seventh floor for relaxation.

Floating Cube. Image © Shawn Liu Studio

• Architects

  KRIS YAO | ARTECH

• Location

  NTU Cosmology Hall,Taipei, Taiwan

• Category

  Gallery

• Architect in Charge

  Kris Yao

• Inspection Architect

  Kris Yao , Glen Lu

• Project Principle

  Kuo-Chien Shen

• Design Team

  Chien-Yi Wu ,Winnie Wang, Rossalin Yang , Ting-Tseng Shen, Jake Sun, Wei Tseng, Li-Ting Huang, North Tseng, Ting-Fung Ho

• Area

  1211.0 m2

• Project Year

  2017

• Photographs

  Shawn Liu Studio