Qigu Visitor Center Introduction
Due to tidal factors, the Sixth Island Trail is covered by water during high tide, making it impossible for visitors to walk. To avoid tidal impacts on the visitor experience, you can check tidal times at the Central Weather Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation. The main structure of the Qigu Visitor Center is based on the concept of a “dyke,” designed to minimize the visual fragmentation caused by human construction in the natural environment. Local elements, such as sea dykes, river dykes, and salt dykes, are incorporated into the design, utilizing a folding plate system to transform the “dyke” into space. It resembles mountains of salt blocks, shaped by rain erosion, steep like cliffs, or gentle like slopes, while also reflecting the valley shape, embodying the strength of nature acting upon the earth. The main structure is predominantly gray-white, and against the backdrop of the blue sky, this “dyke” gleams white, giving the building a variety of appearances at dawn and dusk. The building’s structure creates an image of salt mountain landscapes in space, enhancing compatibility with the local scenery. This building symbolizes the unique natural landscape of the area and embodies the intention to protect the ocean environment while showcasing the beauty of the coast. The Qigu Visitor Center serves as an information station connecting nearby attractions. In addition to being a new tourist landmark, it provides a base for deep coastal tourism and better offers friendly and diverse services to visitors. The charming water hut on Sixth Island is not only a popular spot for photos but also won the 2022 MUSE DESIGN AWARDS. The location of "Sixth Island" is precisely within the sixth production area of the Qigu South Salt Zone during the Japanese occupation 80 years ago, thus earning its name. The work, based on the history of salt production in the Qigu Salt Field, interprets the sentiments of residents who experienced changes in the salt industry and shrinks the lives of salt workers into a water art installation of an island and a hut, incorporating the “salt windmill” imagery from early salt fields to convey a sense of “silent beauty.” Like a hut on a deserted island, it changes in light and shadow with different times of day, while the “salt” color of its exterior represents the natural elements used in salt production: sunlight, seawater, and sea breeze. The installation also deliberately creates a rare opportunity for “island access,” as the water level of the landscape pool varies with the tides; the path will not be open if the water level covers it. Visitors can quietly appreciate the lonely island hut from the shore or check the Qigu tide table before their visit. Qigu Visitor Center Environmental Art Installation - Sixth Island Designer | Chen Yu-Liang Location | Qigu Visitor Center Landscape Pool
