Luodong Sports Park
| Location | Yilan, Taiwan |
|---|---|
| Work Period | 1987~1997 |
| Size | 50ha |
| Client | Yilan Prefecture |
| Scope of Works | Master Plan, Schematic Design, Detail Design
Construction Management |
Project Background
I-Lan prefecture has started a plan to make facilities that will become a frame work of the prefecture by the governor in 1987. Our long time partner in various projects, Atelier Zo, architects, were working on Tong-shang River Park project, and introduced us to the project of Lo-Tong Sport Park.
In that a time a leap in economic growth of the city was predicted as a democracy spread. A park that provides relaxation, sport, recreation, and haven in the city was wanted for the people.
Basic Principle
On a generous earth surrounded by greenery and water, we wanted to prepare a park that people could easily access for sport activities as well as create a spreading green environment.
Park with Taiwanese climate and culture
We think it is important to reflect nature, culture, history, climate and needs of people who live in region when making a program.
A sport park full of greenery, not stadium and game fields.
Instead of having a main stadium and game courts for selected athletes and competitors, we have planed a place for everyday exercise for the people to enjoy healthy activities in green and free space.
Beginning of city greenery
During our survey we have found out that cities in the area have only a small amount of greenery in rather simple way. This project is positioned to be a core for spreading greenery in I-Lan and tried to make it as a guideline for the future.
We surveyed and traveled Taiwan, which was an unknown place to us, and discussed over the project with the people of the local government to reach to our basic principles.
Basis of our design
Connecting ideals for the form, jade hill and radiating axis
The entire park was structured to reflect the basic principle that this park will be the beginning point of spreading greenery in I-Lan prefecture. Nine “jade hills” that stand in the northern part of the park and the radiating axes spreading to all directions from the center act as a design framework. Viewing from the observation square reached from the main entrance, one will see mountains surrounding the Lan Yan Plains. It seems as if the spirits of green are flying to the center of the park from the mountains. They concentrate at the center of the park, then explode to spread all over along the spreading axes.
The jade hills invite surrounding mountains into the park as a part of the scenery, extending park boundaries to seem endless. On the pavement of the main entrance, counter directing the spread of greenery is the energy reaching inward from the city. It is presented by the hand made tiles made with participating citizens to fuse powers of greenery and man-made materials in graduation.
Reflect Feng Shui ideas of the orientation and protective gods
To reflect the culture of Taiwan, Feng Shui ideas are incorporated. Ancient Chinese cities were built accordingly to Feng Shui. Orientation is important and four directions are corresponded with four animals, Green Dragon, White Tiger, Red Bird, and Black Tortoise.
Form Taiwanese landscape sculpture with water
Taiwan has much beautiful landscape, including gorges made by power of water sculpting marbles. To design landscape using abundant underground water resource, we have used existing scenery spots in I-Lan relating to water as motif for design. The story was told in the landscape of water from fountainhead increasing its amount and flowing into the sea. Traditional Japanese garden techniques were used to scaling down and putting up rocks.
Planting plan to spread greenery introducing primeval trees and the subtropics flowering trees and shrubs
To make precedent for later planting scheme, we have planted primeval trees on the jade hills. Since it was predicted that high water level underground would prevent blossoming of the trees, subtropical flowering trees were planted concentrated on the area mounded with gravel and sand. The trees bore flowers after 3 to 4 years probing they may have helped drainage condition
Construction and Site Supervision
We continued to work on our design during construction. Many of the rocks were placed on site by adjusting the rocks with our own hands. Builders were patient with our demands, and even invented machines for laying down rocks and invited professionals from Japan for setting up scenic rocks. The parks was completed with creative work of people involved.
