Two Aedas projects are shortlisted for the prestigious World Architecture Festival (WAF) Awards 2018. Both located in Taiwan, Lè Architecture in Taipei is represented within the Office – Completed Buildings category while the Commercial Bank Headquarters Mixed-Use Project in Taichung is under the Commercial Mixed-Use – Future Project category.
Designed by Global Design Principal Andy Wen, Lè Architecture in the Nangang district of Taipei redefines Taipei’s rapidly developing skyline. The design for Lè Architecture drew inspiration from the shape of the river pebbles, developing a unique aesthetic concept that conveys the idea of roundness and elegance, as well as strength and character. The building’s egg-like shape implies it is an incubator of knowledge and a metaphor of intellectual revival, which integrates well with the local context and marks an important milestone in the revitalisation of the fast-emerging Nangang district. The 60-metre tall office building employs multiple strategies to add greenery to the façade and is focused on minimising energy demands which helped it achieved a LEED gold certification.
Designed by Chairman and Global Design Principal Keith Griffiths, Commercial Bank Headquarters Project is a 200-metre high tower located in the commercial centre of Taichung city. It comprises headquarters office space for Taichung Commercial Bank and luxury hotel accommodation. The design concept originates from the Chinese character ‘中’ on the logo of the Taichung Commercial Bank. Instead of stacking all functions in a singular tower, the design creates two separate towers with a vertical void in the middle to connect them and capture the large facilities. A series of ‘floating’ transparent glass boxes for large functions such as exhibition areas, sky gardens, conferencing facilities, a ballroom and a swimming pool is situated inside the void to enrich the building shape and create an eye-catching feature along the main road. The rooftop terrace features a restaurant and VIP club with outdoor landscaped terrace, providing a spectacular balcony with magnificent city view.
The WAF Awards is a global award programme which celebrates, shares and inspires outstanding architecture. The final results will be announced in Amsterdam this November.
