The world’s best-designed bridge is in Taiwan; Taiwanese architect earns international recognition again

Text by / MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported

Recently, a well-known British architecture platform website selected the world’s top five best-designed bridges, one of which is the elevated walkway at the Tung Ho Steel Administration Center in Taoyuan. This architectural bridge, completed in 2012, was designed by renowned Taiwanese architect Chang Che-Fu. This marks yet another international architectural accolade for him, following his “2015 Global Outstanding Building Award” first prize win for Taipei Metro’s Da’an Forest Park Station.

The elevated walkway at the Tung Ho Steel Administration Center connects the factory and the administrative building, drawing inspiration from the steel materials visible on-site. From another angle, the bridge reveals a double-helix design that serves as its structural support. The curved steel design envelops the walkway, turning the elevated passage into a tunnel-like space.

In addition to Chang Che-Fu’s elevated walkway at the Tung Ho Steel Administration Center, the other four selected works are France’s Millau Viaduct, Hunan’s Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, Changsha’s Lucky Knot pedestrian bridge, and Tehran’s Nature Bridge in Iran—each a globally iconic architectural masterpiece.

Aside from Taipei Metro’s Da’an Forest Park Station, other distinctive structures designed by architect Chang Che-Fu include the “most beautiful lantern police station” – Pingxi Branch of Ruifang Precinct, New Taipei City Police Department – as well as “Kaohsiung Metro’s Central Park Station,” “Qingshui Rest Area,” “National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts,” and “Minneapolis Walker Art Center.”