Qigu Visitor Center Introduction
Due to tidal factors, access to the No. 6 Island Trail is restricted during high tide when the water covers the trail, making it impassable. To avoid tidal impacts on the visitor experience, you can check the tidal times through the Central Weather Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation. The main structure of the Sihku Visitor Center is designed with the concept of a ‘dam’ to reduce the visual disconnection created by human architecture in the natural environment. Local elements such as sea dikes, river dikes, and salt dikes serve as design inspirations. The design utilizes a folded plate system that transforms the concept of a ‘dam’ into spatial representation, reminiscent of piled salt blocks formed by rainwater erosion, with steep cliffs and gentle slopes reflecting the shapes of valleys, embodying the forces of nature acting upon the land. The architectural body features a gray-white base color, which shines brightly against the blue sky, giving the ‘dam’ a clean, brilliant look that changes with the time of day, providing diverse appearances to the building. The design creates imagery of salt mountain landscapes within the space, enhancing the architecture’s compatibility with the local scenery. This building symbolizes the unique natural landscape of the area, embodying the intention to protect the marine environment and showcase the beauty of the coastline. As an information station connecting nearby attractions, the Sihku Visitor Center has become a new tourist landmark, offering a platform for in-depth coastal travel while providing friendly and diverse services to visitors. The No. 6 Island is a charming waterside cabin that, besides being a popular photo spot, was awarded the 2022 MUSE DESIGN AWARDS. The site of the "No. 6 Island" was originally the sixth production area of the southern salt district in Sihku during the Japanese occupation, hence its name. The design is based on the transformation of the salt industry in the Sihku salt fields, interpreting the sentiments of the residents who experienced the changes in the salt industry, manifested as a waterside installation art of an island and cabin, incorporating the imagery of the early salt farms' "salt windmills," conveying a sense of "silent beauty." Like a cabin on an isolated island, it experiences different light and shadow changes throughout the day, and the exterior in ‘salt’ color represents the natural elements of salt production: sunlight, seawater, and sea breeze. The design also intentionally creates an elusive opportunity to "land on the island," with the water level of the scenic pool rising and falling with the tides; the trail will remain closed when the water level overflows it, allowing visitors to enjoy the solitude of the island cabin from the shore or check the Sihku tidal table before visiting. Sihku Visitor Center Environmental Art Installation - No. 6 Island Designer | Chen Yu-liang Location | Sihku Visitor Center Scenic Pool
