Once home to prehistoric ancestors, the thriving South Taiwan Science Park now hosts a museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing precious artifacts dating back 5,000 years. These relics were discovered accidentally during the park’s construction. The architectural design embodies the concept of “exploring downwards and looking back,” guiding visitors on a journey through time—from the present day back over five millennia—while deepening their understanding of history.
The site lies adjacent to a high-speed railway track, where trains pass by roughly every few minutes, staying alongside the museum for approximately 3.5 seconds during each pass.
The design cleverly integrates the high-speed rail experience. Visitors first pass through square glass corridors, witnessing the latest transportation technology and the surrounding science park facilities in motion. This immersion feels like a glimpse into the future. After reaching the scenic viewpoint, visitors embark on a counterclockwise exploration of history—mirroring the process of an archaeological excavation. The same location has witnessed the rise and fall of civilizations, and through physical movement and sensory engagement, visitors connect deeply with the stories preserved by BIM engineers.
The building’s structure is defined by two distinct geometric axes. One aligns nearly due north, matching the orientation of ancient burial sites and symbolizing the order of the past. The other follows the existing urban street grid and intersects the main axis at a 19-degree angle, representing the current order.
▲ First floor plan
▲ Fourth floor plan
These two intersecting orders extend throughout the museum—from the building’s floor plans to the arrangement of exhibits. They symbolize the core of archaeological work: interpreting the hidden order of past time and space based on the existing order in the present, and assigning new meanings to artifacts from different eras.
The building’s exterior walls are primarily constructed from rough volcanic rock. At night, soft lighting gently filters through, creating a mysterious and poetic atmosphere that contrasts with the rugged stone texture.
(BIM Learning)
▲ Sectional view
Project Information:
Architectural Firm: Yao Renxi | Dayuan Construction Factory
Location: Tainan, Taiwan
Category: Museum
Chief Architect: Yao Renxi
Supervising Architects: Yao Renxi, Lv Gong’an
Project Leader: Shen Guojian
Design Team: Wu Jianyi, Wang Xinhui, Li Guolong, Yang Ruolin, Liu Wenli, Zheng Yiting, Ke Mig, Chen Chunfa
Building Area: 18,700 m²
Project Year: 2018
Photographers: Hyun Ryu Studio, Yueh-Lun Tsai, Chiao Ping
Supervisors: Zhou Junren, Cai Yisheng, Ji Guoqin, Wang Junshun, Zhuang Mingxian, Lin Baizhang, Zhang Yimin
Structural Consultant: Federal Engineering Consultants Co., Ltd
Hydroelectric & Fire Protection Consultant: Hengkai Engineering Consulting Co., Ltd
HVAC Consultant: Lin Shen Environmental Control Design Co., Ltd
Landscape Consultant: Hetuo Planning and Design Consultant Co., Ltd
Lighting Consultant: Dagong Lighting Design Consultant Co., Ltd
Contractor: Tongshun Construction Engineering Co., Ltd
Owner: National Museum of Prehistoric Culture of Taiwan
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