Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Department | Photos by Hualien-Taitung Valley National Scenic Area Administration
The nearly century-old Hualien Fuli Station, after being rebuilt in 2016 as part of the East Coast Railway Service Efficiency Enhancement Project, has transformed into a distinctive architectural landmark full of design aesthetics. Recently, Fuli Station has been awarded the Silver Prize in the “Transportation and Infrastructure Projects” category at the 2017 Hong Kong Institute of Architects’ Architectural Design Awards for Greater China. As Fuli is renowned for producing rice that is highly praised in Japan, the design draws inspiration from a granary on the land, integrating the station environment seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. From a distance, it resembles a miniature rice silo.
Fuli Station was awarded the Silver Prize in the professional category for “Transportation and Infrastructure Projects.” No Gold Prize was given in this category, making Fuli Station effectively the first-place winner.
Though compact in scale, Fuli Station plays a key role as the “gateway to the rice country.”
Fuli Station draws inspiration from a granary on the land.
Located at the southernmost tip of Hualien, adjacent to Chihshang in Taitung, Fuli Town boasts clear water, fresh air, and beautiful scenery, and is famous for its rice, which is highly regarded in Japan under the trademark “Fuli Rice.” Fuli Station is a project by Taiwan’s Atelier OASI Studio (OASIStudio), featuring a simple and elegant design. It uses subdued colors that complement the nearby Central Mountain Range, and employs effective spatial strategies to meet environmental requirements. The rebuilt station is not just a node along the railway but also a significant symbol that conveys the local character.
Fuli Station is located at the southernmost tip of Hualien, and the rice produced here is highly praised in Japan under the trademark “Fuli Rice.”
Fuli Station emphasizes a rethinking of human scale, space, and landscape.
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