A University Bus-Stop Providing Shelter Under Green Roof
Construct of Layers
Most students use the bus to get to and from Taiwan’s prestigious National Chiao Tung University in the windy city of Hsinchu. In recent years, the on-campus bus-stops have undergone renovations while the university carries out its campus renovation initiatives with reductive aesthetics. The new bus-stop serves not just as an important transportation node. It is also designed to create meaningful memories, influence future lifestyle, and offer dynamic aesthetics for students and staff.
Aesthetics by Landscape – Height Difference Softened by Split-Level Design
As the site of the bus-stop is located within the car park at the south gate, next to the basketball and tennis courts surrounded by the green area. The car park is divided into two sections with 1.2 meters in height difference, The design team addressed the height difference by softening the visual and circulation obstacles. A symbiotic relationship between the campus and environment by a landscape-themed design, complemented by a reductive design approach to allow the terrain to shape the building form, while the design also minimizes the effect of the northerly breeze on those waiting at the bus stop. As the site surrounded by many sports facilities host many sporting events, the “Platform” design concept seeks to enhance the possibilities of dialogue between the bus stop and its surrounding. The semi-outdoor open design by landscape goes beyond the purpose of a transportation node, catering for multi-functional programs for different user groups and usage periods.
Spatial Construct – Intricate Interweaving of Solidity and Lightness
The bus-stop consists simply of a large sloping roof plate with 29 slim posts which provide support. The structure bears the weight of users climbing the stairs on one side and a roof-covering layer of earth. The design team 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 with, and to infuse itself in, the surrounding.
As there is no fixed seating in the bus stop, a series of planks at different heights were designed with ergonomic consideration to reconcile with the terrain’s height variation. The users can stay in the waiting area sheltered by the roof platform, taking postures of sitting, lying-down, or kneeling. The roofing design features greenery so that people can easily walk on the roof, rest under the trees, lie in an installed rattan hammock, watch sport events, have a conversation, etc. The design successfully interprets the connection between the space and the creative, open, empathetic spirit of the university culture.
Project: NCTU Bus Station / Location: Hsinchu, Taiwan (ROC) / Architect: CHU-Studio / Lead architects: Alfie, Shao / Designers: Hsin-Chen Tsai/Elle Liao / Completion: 2020 / Photograph: Ivan Chuang (courtesy of the architect)
