participating in the complete renovation of the national chiao tung university in taiwan, CHU studio has redesigned one of the main bus-stops of the campus. the site, situated near the south gate of the establishment, is an important transportation node that connects the interior and the exterior of the premises. taking into account that bus-stops, along with their function, can be a memory capacitor, and a key element in the daily life of students and academic staff, the architects have decided to generate a meaningful and memorable design. 

construct of layers nctu bus stop 1

all images courtesy of CHU studio

 

 

the bus-stop is located within the campus car park, next to the basketball and tennis courts, surrounded by greenery. since the car park is divided into two sections with a 1.2-meter height difference, CHU studio has addressed this level contrast by softening the visual and circulation obstacles and forming a symbiotic relationship between the campus and the environment. 

construct of layers nctu bus stop 2

 

 

the architects have realized the bus-stop structure following a reductive design, allowing the landform to shape the building. as a result, a platform-like formation has been generated, that merges harmoniously with the terrain and also minimizes the effect of the northerly breeze on those waiting to commute. as the site is surrounded by sports facilities that host various events, the new bus-stop, seeks to go beyond the purpose of a transportation node, serving as a multi-functional space, inviting different user groups to occupy it for extensive periods.

construct of layers nctu bus stop 3

 

 

the bus-stop structure consists simply of a large roof plate, completed with 29 slim supporting posts. a sturdy volume bears the weight of users climbing the stair and the earth-covered roofing. the design accentuates the lightness of the architectural volume by creating contrasting balance and spatial tension. the steel columns, placed alternately, echo the fibrous roots of the fig trees in the notion of a manmade forest, which also allows the entire structure to connect closely with the surrounding environment.

construct of layers nctu bus stop 4

 

 

there is no fixed seating in the bus stop; a series of planks of different heights were designed with ergonomic consideration to reconcile with the landform height variation. the users can stay in the waiting area in the postures of sitting, lying down or kneeling. the roofing design features greenery so that people can easily walk on it, rest under the trees, lie in rattan hammock, watch sports events, have a conversation, etc. the design successfully interprets the connection between the space and the creative, open, empathetic spirit of the university culture.

construct of layers nctu bus stop 5

construct of layers nctu bus stop 6

construct of layers nctu bus stop 7

construct of layers nctu bus stop 8

construct of layers nctu bus stop 9

construct of layers nctu bus stop 10

construct of layers nctu bus stop 11

 

 

project info:

 

name: NCTU bus-stop
architecture office: CHU studio
lead designer: alfie shao 
location: national chiao tung university campus, hsinchu, taiwan

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom