Qinmei Eslite Green Parkway Introduction
Designed by renowned architects Chen Rui-Hsien and Kuo Hsiu-Yuan, this building was transformed from a long-abandoned parking garage. After being taken over by the Qingmei and Eslite teams, the goal was to integrate the structure with the surrounding greenery, adhering to the principle of respecting nature. After overcoming numerous challenges with hundreds of experts, it was decided to extend the surrounding greenery onto the walls, creating a vertical urban garden that allows plants and buildings to coexist. This is Taiwan's first large-scale living wall, which features a total of 120,000 plants growing naturally on the exterior walls, along with a 3-kilometer-long irrigation system that regularly supplies water and nutrients. These plants can absorb 200 kilograms of carbon dioxide daily and release 150 kilograms of oxygen, also contributing to cooling and energy savings during the summer. With collaboration from experts in construction, structure, landscape, and botany, and over a year of modifications, countless site inspections, and ecological studies, the team successfully mounted approximately 140,000 plants on the walls, overcoming challenges related to structure, gravity, plant selection, irrigation, drainage, typhoon resistance, and earthquake safety. To ensure the sustainable coexistence of plants and the building, the living wall is equipped with a complete irrigation system featuring over 6,000 drip lines, a 3-kilometer-long pipeline, and hundreds of sprayers, allowing for self-sufficient and perpetually renewable planting, which has also become a home for numerous birds and butterflies. In addition to the exterior, to create a green shopping space filled with sunlight, air, and water, the central prime area of the shopping center was removed to create a 5-story-high, 20-meter tall indoor living wall. A carefully designed mirror water pool with a water circulation system supports a stage for cultural and creative events. The Eslite Bookstore on the third floor is the largest flagship store in the central region, making the Qingmei Eslite Greenway a new landmark of nature and culture. It was honored with the 2009 National Excellent Construction Award and represented Taiwan in receiving the "2010 Global Excellent Architecture Award", known as the "Oscar of the real estate industry." The complex also includes a children's museum, music museum, Eslite wine cellar, various themed restaurants, a gourmet supermarket, and a multifunctional performance hall; along with over a hundred ping Eslite stationery store, lifestyle goods, and designer apparel and accessories, creating an atmosphere of the latest creative fashions, perfect for friends who love boutique, creativity, and style. Furthermore, it is close to the National Museum of Natural Science, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, The Splendor Hotel, Evergreen Laurel Hotel, and the Shihhua International Building, allowing visitors to create their own joyful one-day itinerary.
