Houtong Visitor Center Introduction
The Houtong Visitor Center is located near the Jinzibei Ancient Trail along the Dahan Ancient Road North, and it was completed in June 2022 after renovations. The design emphasizes sustainability and integration with the surrounding environment, featuring a partially open roof and an open corridor that allows natural light and wind to flow through the atrium. The roof is covered with a red membrane system, reflecting the blending of the red bricks of the old houses in the settlement with the green natural environment. The lowered roof serves to define the separation between indoor and outdoor spaces, guiding rainwater into a rain garden, which echoes the natural environment and emphasizes ecological circulation, creating a landmark effect of a splash of red amidst the lush greenery of the forested hills. In addition to continuing its function as a visitor center and rest stop, the new design provides more leisure and shaded areas for hikers and cyclists to take breaks and recharge. The exhibition space on the right wing promotes the century-old Dahan Ancient Road and the century-long mining history of the Keelung River through curated displays, allowing the public to gain a deeper understanding of the local cultural and historical heritage.
