Design competitions are all about finding the most innovative, beautiful, and sometimes most environmentally friendly concepts to shape the way we look at structures. Design affects entire cities, states, and countries for years to come. Phases like the Art Deco movement survive years after its creation because of its beauty and historical significance. The Taiwan Tower Internation Competition painstakingly went through hundreds of entries recently and chose a design by Tokyo-based architect Sou Fujimoto entitled The Oasis to build at the Taichung Gateway Park.

 

 

The Oasis stands apart from the rest of the competition because it may be the first floating garden. From afar, it looks like a waterfall suspended high above the city, and up close it is an intricate puzzle of spiral beams. However, the structure is not simply all about looks. Concern for the environment was a key part of Fujimoto’s concept. According to My Modern Met:

“The design features two basic parts. The underlying structure and frame were inspired by the native Taiwanese Banyan Tree and creates a semi-outdoor space that provides shade and supports the rooftop garden that floats nearly 1000-ft above the ground. The steel construction will feature a multitude of 3-ft round layered columns that help to support the building in case of high winds, earthquake or other natural disasters. The reason Fujimoto's design is so eco-friendly is because of their incorporation of ‘a green roof, rainwater harvesting, solar hot water panels, wind turbine, photovoltaic cells, ground source heat pump, desiccant air-handling unit and natural ventilations by Solar Stack Effect.’”

All of this works seamlessly to maintain a beautiful garden and environment for residents to explore. It is also not only surprisingly sound for such an intricate structure, but will be able to withstand natural disasters. The same cannot be said of any normal city park or garden.

The Oasis is meant to evoke for Taiwan what the Eiffel Tower did for France. The feeling of modernity and grace were important for Fujimoto when creating the design. Modern life becoming one with nature and not clashing against it is the balance sought with The Oasis. This beautiful concept will become a reality in a few years. Pictures of the design concept, however, are available at ArchDaily and Sou Fujimoto’s website.