[Razqal]

pulled these from someone's flickr album:


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2140/2091217972_0302bb3323_b.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2179/2091216502_e3db04dfa4_b.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2041/2091218534_86c7f5ff2a_b.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2132/2090434877_6512f831f8_b.jpg


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2301/2090429749_459bd816af_b.jpg

[Razqal]

video of the stadium. wow, didn't know kaohsiung had so much empty green land!! the city is soooo rural, green and clean!! ;)


http://youtube.com/watch?v=-TADPiFXw8M

[hiroshi]

2008.01.22

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2078/2211199293_30fb486bae.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56627020@N00/2211199293/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2047/2211990516_b5c27be8e2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56627020@N00/2211990516/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2269/2211199773_8c3a876741_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56627020@N00/2211199773/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2415/2211198237_8b357f12a2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56627020@N00/2211198237/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2009/2211989450_d9a010500e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56627020@N00/2211989450/)

[hiroshi]

2008.03.07
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2014/2315753997_ebcbddb8e1_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hiroshiken/2315753997/)

[Razqal]

looking good. thanks for the pics!

[Coyett]

3/28
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3040/2368940321_24f0d63ec1_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2023/2368940317_925e5721cf_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2335/2370653068_9414b89494_o.jpg

image: weijidai, SSC http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=600388

http://pwbnc.kcg.gov.tw/canewses/nwes360/22.jpg

image: Kaohsiung City Government

[Razqal]

awesome stadium!! much better design than that weird bird's nest one in beijing.

[williamchung taiwan]

It is a green stadium!!!!
Solar plate on the outer surface!

[Razqal]

(from kumomoqmoq's flickr album)


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3243/2716305851_4d2eedc220_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3292/2717124406_584df0cfe1_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3290/2717121626_c90857b9dd_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3231/2717123600_78a37a39b0_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3156/2708079702_0e6fcaaf44_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3189/2717118648_8253749bb2_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3273/2708066682_787c4e42a6_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3138/2707262665_0943c59e6b_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/2707260451_2da0eeb214_b.jpg


http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20080712/i/r3818113754.jpg?x=400&y=266&sig=9LZ8bkyKb79WpY7fB4em.Q--


http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/rids/20080712/i/r3316916851.jpg

[mountsac]

are the pipes for aesthetic purposes? it seems unusual for stadiums...

[Razqal]

the pipes conduct electricity and also add aesthetic value. i think it looks cool.

[ed21x]

it amazes me how in taiwan you can have such amazing projects finished in such little time, while some simpler projects (like remodeling an airport) can take years before they even start!

[williamchung taiwan]

from http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/aerofoto-taiwan/photo?pid=5793&prev=5792&next=5833



http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj12/williamchung7/Kaoshung/Kaoshiung%20World%20Game%20Stadium/f2320080828103641746ej5.jpg

[Australiasian]

probably the best looking stadium in taiwan... i love that tail!

[SpeedoPro]

yea that is the best looking stadium in taiwan ;)

[williamchung taiwan]

from skyscrapers.tw by Bingo

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj12/williamchung7/Kaoshung/Kaoshiung%20World%20Game%20Stadium/207.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj12/williamchung7/Kaoshung/Kaoshiung%20World%20Game%20Stadium/214-1.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj12/williamchung7/Kaoshung/Kaoshiung%20World%20Game%20Stadium/218.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj12/williamchung7/Kaoshung/Kaoshiung%20World%20Game%20Stadium/219.jpg

[giallo]

Absolutely stunning!
Wow, wow, wow.

If only Taiwan could get skyscrapers this beautiful.

[Australiasian]

World Games stadium sells surplus electricity to Taipower
KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan -- The Kaohsiung Main Stadium constructed for the upcoming the 2009 World Games has started selling surplus electricity generated from its solar energy system to the government-owned Taiwan Power Company.

In addition to the various sports facilities, the giant NT$5 billion stadium is installed with a total of 8,844 solar panels to harness the energy from the sun.

Taking advantage of the strong sunlight in southern Taiwan, each of the panels — which costs NT$34,000 per unit — is able to generate 3,232 kilowatt-hours of power per day.

The environmentally friendly solar power system was activated in early last October.

It has created around 300,000 kilowatt-hours of power during the three-month period, more than the energy needed during the daytime. Regarded as an independent power plant (IPP), the Kaohsiung City Government has secured a supply contract to sell the surplus to Taipower at a rate of NT$1.70 per kilowatt-hour.

Officials said when large-scale sport events are staged, the system can provide 70 percent of the needed power supply. The stadium then will purchase the inadequate electricity from Taipower.

With 31 sports competitions sanctioned by the International Olympics Committee, the Kaohsiung World Games will bring more than 4,500 athletes from 90 countries to Kaohsiung July 16-26.

[Razqal]

almost done!! someone's flickr site:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3473/3183559225_bea057ba96_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3316/3184401884_fcbe35d225_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3353/3184409718_9759387df7_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3523/3184399448_74980dfc91_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3414/3184407354_d5f4e43117_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3414/3184407354_d5f4e43117_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3183564859_45a8a59f45_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3500/3183567159_8f2d2e8649_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3356/3184400308_046684923e_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3130/3184396782_1bde177a44_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3399/3184386976_d310050b1d_b.jpg

alot more photos here in arthurchengjca's flickr album:

http://flickr.com/photos/35328700@N00/page9/

[edluva]

hard to believe that stadium was "only" NT$5 billion considering all of those solar panels. must be the labor? it's definitely a real beauty. of course something of this caliber required a non-taiwanese designer.

[Razqal]

of course something of this caliber required a non-taiwanese designer.


so cynical you. :haha:

[edluva]

^maybe. i just haven't seen good work from local architects. unless you can point me to some...:)

[ed21x]

^maybe. i just haven't seen good work from local architects. unless you can point me to some...:)

as much as I hate CY Lee for all his ugly designs, he has one gem:

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/taipei/fareasternplaza

[edluva]

^that's certainly one of the better looking highrises in taipei. but it's not really a standout either. well, for CY Lee it's exceptional, but from anybody else, it's allright.

[williamchung taiwan]

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=154397

Kelti Headquarter
design by Taiwanese Architect

[Coyett]

as much as I hate CY Lee for all his ugly designs, he has one gem:

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/property/taipei/fareasternplaza

The Far Eastern was designed by Hong Kong architects P&T. Sorry, no gems!

[ed21x]

The Far Eastern was designed by Hong Kong architects P&T. Sorry, no gems!

it was a partnership with both, but the design was supposedly by CY Lee.

http://www.kawneer.com/kawneer/gsp/en/pdf/BM2280KGSPBrochureAA.pdf

[Coyett]

it was a partnership with both, but the design was supposedly by CY Lee.

http://www.kawneer.com/kawneer/gsp/en/pdf/BM2280KGSPBrochureAA.pdf

Come on, it's obvious the design was inspired by P&T's Exchange Square project in Hong Kong.

Exchange Square
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:One_Exchange_Square.jpg

Far Eastern
http://www.where2event.com/images/vendor/v_24/pics/large/v_24_遠東2.JPG

[Razqal]

kris yao of architect is a local architect. he designed hsinchu high speed station which is pretty nice. as well as some office buildings, apartments, and academic buildings.

[edluva]

^i don't know. i'm not feeling any of the HSR stations. hsinchu is definitely an improvement, but not very original or inventive, and appears pretty impure in form. almost tacky once you get past the sleek roof and examine it closer. are there any young, kind of underground stars in taiwan?

[metroXpress]

it was a partnership with both, but the design was supposedly by CY Lee.

http://www.kawneer.com/kawneer/gsp/en/pdf/BM2280KGSPBrochureAA.pdf

Didn't CY Lee design Taipei 101 and the tallest building in Kaosiung...the 76 storey one?

[ed21x]

Didn't CY Lee design Taipei 101 and the tallest building in Kaosiung...the 76 storey one?

yeah, but we're looking for examples with class along with artistic merit. CY Lee designed a ton of buildings in Taiwan, but most of them are pretty ugly. The Tuntex 85 in Kaohsiung is actually not bad.

[metroXpress]

yeah, but we're looking for examples with class along with artistic merit. CY Lee designed a ton of buildings in Taiwan, but most of them are pretty ugly. The Tuntex 85 in Kaohsiung is actually not bad.

I do agree that Taipei 101 is really ugly...I guess he is trying to add that "Chinese" taste into his buildings. I've been to Taipei 101 and I never liked it.

[edluva]

except that incorporating "chinese" taste in such a prosaic manner demonstrates a complete lack of depth and creativity.

it's crazy and i know china's got a much larger pool to draw from but it's still a shame how china's already got better artists and designers than taiwan does, considering the head-start taiwan's enjoyed

[metroXpress]

I think this stadium lacks creativity and is much similar to the "Bird's Nest" in China!

[Razqal]

I think this stadium lacks creativity and is much similar to the "Bird's Nest" in China!

you're blind.

[Razqal]

except that incorporating "chinese" taste in such a prosaic manner demonstrates a complete lack of depth and creativity.

it's crazy and i know china's got a much larger pool to draw from but it's still a shame how china's already got better artists and designers than taiwan does, considering the head-start taiwan's enjoyed

china's got their fair share of terrible architects and tacky buildings. all of their '"world class" architectural buildings are designed by foreign architects, e.g., all the olympic venues, shanghai financial, jin mao, cctv tower, etc. just that the chinese govt.'s more willing to shell out big dough to hire those expensive foreign architects (for show) than the taiwanese govt. is.

[edluva]

you're blind.

^lol

well, you're only talking about big commissions. but there are plenty of promising up-and-comer chinese architects. one example (one more than taiwan can offer as far as i can tell) is qingyun ma, dean of the USC school of architecture. not to mention the swarms of talent in the visual arts who up until recently were not getting large commissions. are there, at least, any "paper architects" generating buzz in taiwan right now?

culturally speaking, it seems as taiwan has become sort of an anti-cosmopolitan backwater, considering the advantages it should have.

[metroXpress]

you're blind.

Oh...thanks.

Well, from certain angles...it is the same, except that open part, which is the part that makes it MORE INTERESTING than the BIRD'S NEST :) Happy?

[ed21x]

Oh...thanks.

Well, from certain angles...it is the same, except that open part, which is the part that makes it MORE INTERESTING than the BIRD'S NEST :) Happy?

uhh... honestly what angle are you talking about? this stadium looks nothing like the bird's nest. the birdnest is intentionally laid out to be messy looking, has a different shape, color, styling, and cladding. I highly suggest you google up what the Bird's Nest looks like first before posting in here.

[Razqal]

like i said, he's blind.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3473/3183559225_bea057ba96_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3071/2835449306_5345d5e7e5_b.jpg


as unique as the bird's nest is and a feat in engineering, i prefer the clean aesthetics of kaohsiung world stadium and the fact that's it's environmentally friendly.

[metroXpress]

Thanks for the pics..

I guess I was blind for a whole week!

I am not on any side but I do like the fact that this one has the solar pannels.

[taiwayne]

I'll say both are great structures.

Thanks for sharing!

[Australiasian]

allen and taiwayne,

welcome to the forum! are you both taiwanese living abroad?

[metroXpress]

allen and taiwayne,

welcome to the forum! are you both taiwanese living abroad?


Hello Australiasian,

Yeah..I lived in Taiwan before and I visit Taiwan regularly. Are you
also Taiwanese? Thanks for the warm welcome....I've been waiting
for that *hint hint*

Take care,
Allen

[taiwayne]

Hi Australiasian, yes I'm Taiwanese. Thanks for the warm welcome. :)

[Australiasian]

same here guys!!

[ed21x]

Hello Australiasian,

Yeah..I lived in Taiwan before and I visit Taiwan regularly. Are you
also Taiwanese? Thanks for the warm welcome....I've been waiting
for that *hint hint*

Take care,
Allen


what? you didn't like my welcome? :D jk, welcome to the forum, and I hope this place will taiwanize you to what makes the rest of us have so much pride in our tiny island nation :)

[metroXpress]

Sure...I am somewhat proud of our island...

(Although..in the Pan Pacific Hotel here in Vancouver, they got the labels wrong for Taiwan...sad !)

[Razqal]

from flickr:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3313/3262648663_a3feb02833_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/194/3264253364_0e3b0b7845_b.jpg


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/196/3263429403_217b1422d8_b.jpg


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/254/3263428139_90be7c5eba_b.jpg


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/246/3264252338_2d30aebf5b_b.jpg

[Australiasian]

Very Nice!

[metroXpress]

Thanks for the update...glad that you didn't call me blind again

[giallo]

Nice photos!

I took a bunch of pics of the KWGS during CNY. I'll have to get busy and post them here.

[Lost in Kaohsiung]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3319/3259260545_4270846a1c_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3263/3259260431_002dbb9973_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3415/3260092328_a3517ec55f_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3505/3260092036_5a5df63b5c_o.jpg

Allen, considering the past issues concerning Taiwan and that its only being an independant country just over fifty years since Japanese rule. As well as the previous fear of Chinese invasion. The current focus and vision of both Kaohsiung and the rest of Taiwan to build both commercial and non commercial ground breaking architecture such as 101 hardly shows a lack of creativity.

[Razqal]

from Geocaching_badger's flickr album:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3517/3284192608_25a590937e_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/3284193164_3e988f99f9_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3161/3284192860_797fe67329_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3142/3283370641_d16f0f0876_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3415/3284190950_0d5bd33757_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3560/3283372087_8841851f17_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3283372255_b70b45536d_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3360/3278245380_b999088c25_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3086/3283371151_0051dc9b46_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3439/3281118702_836ae86095_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3448/3277423475_e417495938_o.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3457/3280317077_74f77749cd.jpg?v=0


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3523/3280317029_5858360be7_o.jpg

[philip]

Thanks for the pics..

I guess I was blind for a whole week!

I am not on any side but I do like the fact that this one has the solar pannels.

Bird Nest in Beijing is also covered by solar panels. Check the Bird Nest wikipedia page and Suntech Power company page.

[Australiasian]

VERY NICE!
hopefully the stadium will cont. to be used after the world games.

[metroXpress]

Bird Nest in Beijing is also covered by solar panels. Check the Bird Nest wikipedia page and Suntech Power company page.



Thanks for telling me that. Anyways, thank all for the updates!

[Razqal]

from JasonKyoto's flickr album:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3379/3247646462_2780f7e69a_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3259/3247646942_4bc1295e24_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3456/3247647368_278edf7546_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3406/3247644558_dde3f68f48_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3457/3246815833_ae6f540368_b.jpg

[metroXpress]

Great! Looks like it is ready for the World Games which is in...

[pattyrea]

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (http://www.pittsburghsymphony.org) (USA) will perform for the opening of the Stadium on Monday, May 20, 2009! What an amazing orchestra for such an amazing piece of architechure! :yes:

[Razqal]

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (http://www.pittsburghsymphony.org) (USA) will perform for the opening of the Stadium on Monday, May 20, 2009! What an amazing orchestra for such an amazing piece of architechure! :yes:

too bad it's not new york philharmonic cuz they are much better than pittsburgh!!! ;)

[Razqal]

boo

[Razqal]

http://album.udn.com/community/img/PSN_PHOTO/southad/f_3032547_1.JPG


http://blog.emome.net/pblog/200901/Qjj_20090109114554.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3430/3235849585_44e2446fed_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3474/3236693496_0248264a26_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3438/3235848411_baf2cfe646_b.jpg


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/3236691828_095313ca10_b.jpg


http://p1.p.pixnet.net/albums/userpics/1/9/670219/49923e598e09c.jpg


http://blog.udn.com/community/img/PSN_ARTICLE/allenchan66/f_2654818_2.JPG


http://web.hach.gov.tw/hachweb/d_upload_chmp/frontsite/image/A0/B0/C0/D0/E0/F0/af1e0552-1fc0-4f69-be3a-ebce5c7eb4bf.jpg


http://blog.udn.com/community/img/PSN_ARTICLE/allenchan66/f_2654818_3.JPG


http://link.photo.pchome.com.tw/s03/earthk/1/123607911766/


http://photo.pchome.com.tw/earthk/123607922416


http://epublication.kcg.gov.tw/happysong/200923/photo04_01.jpg


http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/18315067.jpg

[metroXpress]

^ Thanks for the amazing photos!

[Razqal]

fireworks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgyaR2E8zyg


world games trailers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6-fkkx1J30


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0v9fRIqc8w

[metroXpress]

^ Nice, I remember seeing a clip on the news.....

[hiroshi]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3623/3553477831_4ce5e8049f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56627020@N00/3553477831/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3554285904_5d0be93ffa_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/56627020@N00/3554285904/)

[Razqal]

i dont see a parking lot. is it underground? where do people park?

[metroXpress]

^ parking lots are usually underground in Taiwan...

[Razqal]

kaohsiung stadium inauguration:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3352/3553476259_37689a2472_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3361/3554281654_101a4b7c64_b.jpg

(from hiroshiken's flickr album)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3083/3557478980_ea48c36f8e_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3340/3556663441_7f1bcddb2b_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2460/3556659845_d4affd729d_b.jpg

://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/3557464828_cbdde3e80c_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3327/3556650523_97e4918a28_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/3557460560_368a42c201_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3556648075_2561c230da_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3557/3557458112_8cbeef5cba_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3557453880_a432f19fd6_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3562/3556639991_6e21e72287_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3554/3557448482_9030f319dc_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3350/3556636093_7897469379_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3416/3556625737_01df5eec40_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3400/3557435336_8d8f76135a_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3315/3554285904_5d0be93ffa_b.jpg



(fartripper's flickr album)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3345/3558633683_738cf50b9a_o.jpg

[Razqal]

more information about the stadium:

http://www.inhabitat.com/2009/05/20/taiwan%E2%80%99s-solar-stadium-100-powered-by-the-sun/

Taiwan recently finished construction on an incredible solar-powered stadium that will generate 100% of its electricity from photovoltaic technology! Designed by Toyo Ito, the dragon-shaped 50,000 seat arena is clad in 8,844 solar panels that illuminate the track and field with 3,300 lux. The project will officially open later this year to welcome the 2009 World Games.

Building a new stadium is always a massive undertaking that requires millions of dollars, substantial physical labor, and a vast amount of electricity to keep it operating. Toyo Ito’s design negates this energy drain with a stunning 14,155 sq meter solar roof that is able to provide enough energy to power the stadium’s 3,300 lights and two jumbo vision screens. To illustrate the incredible power of this system, officials ran a test this January and found that it took just six minutes to power up the stadium’s entire lighting system!

The stadium also integrates additional green features such as permeable paving and the extensive use of reusable, domestically made materials. Built upon a clear area of approximately 19 hectares, nearly 7 hectares has been reserved for the development of integrated public green spaces, bike paths, sports parks, and an ecological pond. Additionally, all of the plants occupying the area before construction were transplanted.

Non-sports fans in the community have a lot to jump up and down for as well. Not only does the solar system provide electricity during the games, but the surplus energy will also be sold during the non-game period. On days where the stadium is not being used, the Taiwanese government plans to feed the extra energy into the local grid, where it will meet almost 80% of the neighboring area’s energy requirements. Overall, the stadium will generate 1.14 million KWh per year, preventing the release of 660 tons of carbon dioxide into atmosphere annually.

http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-stadium-ed05.jpg

http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-stadium-ed01.jpg

http://www.inhabitat.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-stadium-ed06.jpg

[Razqal]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/16/arts/design/16stadium.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=taiwan&st=cse

Architecture Review
Stadium Where Worlds Collide, Humanely

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan — For some of us, entering a vast sports stadium is always an anxious pleasure. Behind the electrifying anticipation of the game there’s the nagging feeling that every stadium contains the seeds of mass hysteria — that it can, in extreme times, become a place of terrifying intensity.

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/07/15/arts/toyobig.jpghttp://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/07/16/arts/itospan.jpg

The World Games stadium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, designed by Toyo Ito of Japan. The opening ceremony of the facility is on Thursday.

The new stadium in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, designed by the Japanese architect Toyo Ito, features a flow from its outsize plaza to its indoor field. The site will hold this month’s World Games.

Designed by the Japanese architect Toyo Ito, the World Games’ main stadium, which will be unveiled at an opening ceremony here on Thursday, is shaped by a sensitivity to those conflicting sensations. It is not only magnetic architecture, it is also a remarkably humane environment, something you rarely find in a structure of this size.

The World Games, which have international sports competitions not included in the Olympics, don’t attract as much attention as those more famous games, and there has been considerably less buzz about Mr. Ito’s stadium than there was about the Bird’s Nest, the lavish Olympic Stadium by Herzog & de Meuron that opened in Beijing last year. Nor does it have the same symbolic ambitions.

Yet for those who have been privileged enough to see Mr. Ito’s creation, the experience is just as intoxicating. Clad in a band of interwoven white pipes, the structure resembles a python just beginning to coil around its prey, its tail tapering off to frame one side of an entry plaza. Unlike the Bird’s Nest it unfolds slowly to the visitor and is as much about connecting — physically and metaphorically — with the public spaces around it as it is about the intensity of a self-contained event.

The stadium, with more than 40,000 seats, is surrounded by a vast new public park, its grounds sprinkled with palm trees and tropical plants. Most of the trees are young, but in a few years, when they are fully grown, they should create the impression that the structure is being swallowed by a dense tropical forest. In essence the coiled form becomes a tool for weaving together opposing energies: the concentrated intensity of the stadium on the one hand, the plaza’s chaotic social exchanges on the other, the unruly forest all around. What brings the design to life is that Mr. Ito is able to convey this experience physically, not just visually.

Visitors arriving from downtown via public transportation, for example, walk down a broad boulevard before turning into the plaza. From there the stadium’s tail, which houses ticket windows and restaurants, guides them toward the entry gates. The plaza itself gently swells up to meet that area. Once inside, the surface drops down suddenly, transforming into a sloping patch of lawn that looks over the field. Mr. Ito imagines that during many events the lawn will be open to the public, letting visitors drift in and out without buying a ticket.

As people move deeper into the stadium, the narrative becomes more focused. Concourses and upper-level seating are supported by a ring of concrete structures that vaguely resemble giant animal vertebrae — Mr. Ito calls them saddles — that seem to be straining under the weight above. The character of the canopy (formed by the same white pipes as on the exterior) changes depending on perspective. Seen at an angle, the diagonal pipes create a powerful horizontal pull, whipping your eye around the stadium; seen from straight on, the vertical supports are more dominant, giving the structure a thrilling stillness.

At this exact moment — the moment when you are most in tune with the event about to take place — the outside world momentarily creeps back in. The tops of a few mountains are visible just above the canopy. So is the plaza, and just beyond it a distant view of the downtown skyline. It is as if Mr. Ito wants to remind you, one last time, of other realities, to gently break down the sense that the world of the stadium is all there is.

He is not the first architect to experiment with degrees of openness and enclosure in a stadium. Herzog & de Meuron’s 2005 Munich soccer stadium, which looks like a gigantic padded inner tube, is almost suffocating in its sense of compression. Eduardo Souto de Moura’s 2004 stadium in Braga, Portugal, is a masterly expression of extremes: embedded in a quarry at one end, its rectangular form opens onto a bucolic view of rolling hills on the other.

Like many who came to prominence in the past decade or so, these architects have sought to create structures that explore the psychological extremes that late Modernism and postmodernism ignored. Their aim was to expand architecture’s emotional possibilities and, in doing so, to make room for a wider range of human experience.

Mr. Ito’s stadium is the next step on that evolutionary chain. It reflects his longstanding belief that architecture, to be human, must somehow embrace seemingly contradictory values. Instead of a self-contained utopia, he offers us multiple worlds, drifting in and out of focus like a dream.

[metroXpress]

^ great news....how long does the games last?

[williamchung taiwan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CG4l3MX3KU:banana: :banana:

[anyiliang]

That was a nice article from the NY Times, But I wish the writer would have stated that the roof is all solar panels. This is huge because it is very rare to see this on a stadium of this size.

[Razqal]

WORLD GAMES OPENING CEREMONY STARTED TONIGHT!!

the fireworks show was bigger and longer than the one at beijing olympics!! check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J6HnJ_EUEo

[metroXpress]

that's great news....:tup:

[hiroshi]

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