taipei music center by RUR architecture is a new landmark for taiwan's pop scene

designed by RUR architecture, the taipei music center (TMC) comprises three landmark buildings: a cube-shaped exhibition hall, the ‘creative area building’, and the 6,000-seat concert hall (shown in the images below). the entire complex is unified by a plinth that integrates the development into the city of taipei while allowing it to remain architecturally distinct. ‘the iconic architectural programs symbolize the principal uses and attractions of the complex, making it a powerful representation of taiwan’s pop music industry worldwide,’ explain the architects.

image by RUR architecture, fei & cheng associates

called the ‘event horizon’, the elevated circulation route connects the complex and allows for additional civic programs. ‘the groundwork for the public spaces is developed from a flowing crystalline geometry,’ continues RUR, a new york-based firm led by jesse reiser and nanako umemoto. ‘it emerges from the ground but maintains its artificiality rather than being mimetic of landforms. this fabric also serves as the socle for the principle honorific programs of the TMC.’

image by RUR architecture, fei & cheng associates

the concert hall in particular has been designed as a new landmark for the city and its music scene. ‘the importance of the architectural expression of the TMC cannot be overstated,’ the architects say. ‘it is very important for the public and users to know that when they enter the precinct of the TMC they are entering a unique creative part of taipei city with its own architectural identity, style, and aesthetics; for the identity of taiwanese pop music, while enmeshed in its local roots has also transcended them and operates on a world stage.’ see designboom’s previous coverage of the project here.

image by RUR architecture, fei & cheng associates

image by yana zhezhela and alek vatagin

image by yana zhezhela and alek vatagin

image by yana zhezhela and alek vatagin

image by yana zhezhela and alek vatagin

image by yana zhezhela and alek vatagin

image by yana zhezhela and alek vatagin

image by yana zhezhela and alek vatagin

image by yana zhezhela and alek vatagin

image by RUR architecture, fei & cheng associates

1/4

 

 

 

 

project info: 

name: taipei music center
location: taipei, taiwan
design: 2009 – 2014
construction: 2013-2021 (north side completed 2019)
site area: 89,223 sqm
gross floor area: 70,200 sqm
height: concert hall (north side): 35.5m, exhibition hall (south side): 46.7m, creative area building (south side): 30m
budget: north side: 2.6 billion NTD; south side: 1.8 billion NTD
type: pop music center
client: ministry of culture of taiwan + taipei city government
design architect: RUR architecture DPC, new york
principals: jesse reiser + nanako umemoto
RUR team: jesse reiser, nanako umemoto, neil cook, michael overby, juan de marco, hilary simon, john murphy, kris hedges, eleftheria xanthouli, toshiki hirano, ryosuke imaeda, joy wang, massimiliano orzi, xian lai, jasmine lee (liaison with fca during construction)
architect of record: fei and cheng and associates, taipei, taiwan; philip fei, michael fei, mei cheng, angela yang, si-heng shen
structural engineer: ARUP, hong kong (schematic design); supertek, taiwan (detailed design)
facade consultant: meinhardt façade technology (shanghai)
theater, acoustics consultants: ARUP, new york (schematic design); ARUP, hong kong (detailed design)