NCKU Art Lounges Da Hsin Yuan by MAYU Architects: A Contemporary Cultural Hub at National Cheng Kung University

Located at the heart of National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in Tainan, Taiwan, the NCKU Art Lounges Da Hsin Yuan by MAYU Architects transforms a former kindergarten into a vibrant cultural and social space. Completed in 2022, the 854 m² project welcomes students, faculty, alumni, and local residents, offering a unique public space that blends education, culture, and leisure.

Context and Site Integration

The project faces the historic Tainan City Wall and its West Gate through a tree-lined avenue. Neighboring the University President's Residence and positioned along the campus’s main green belt, the site connects seamlessly with existing student activity zones, enhancing the natural flow of campus life.

Architectural Concept and Design

The design features two glass volumes of varying scales, carefully nestled among preserved trees to maintain and enhance the site’s greenery. These volumes house the Alumni Club and Student Arts and Culture Salon, providing flexible spaces for social, cultural, and educational activities.

The CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) wooden roof, supported by slim steel columns, defines an open, visually unobstructed interior. The greenery surrounding the site serves as a natural backdrop, creating a strong indoor-outdoor connection.

Indoor-Outdoor Interaction

The roof extends outward while glass walls are recessed, forming semi-outdoor transitional spaces. This design accommodates Tainan’s hot and rainy climate and enhances versatility for events. Operable glass doors on over half of the facades allow for adjustable ventilation and seamless interaction between interior and exterior areas.

Functional Spaces and Facilities

The building incorporates essential services, including a café, meeting rooms, and restrooms, integrated within a robust concrete structure. These facilities maintain functionality without compromising the visual transparency and openness of the design.

Landscape and Campus Connectivity

Extensive landscaping, including lawns, metal pergolas on single columns, low walls, and concrete pathways, connects the Art Lounges with the wider campus. This creates a fluid transition between outdoor and indoor spaces and encourages community engagement throughout the university grounds.

 A Modern University Cultural Space

By combining contemporary architecture, sustainable materials, and sensitive landscape design, NCKU Art Lounges Da Hsin Yuan exemplifies a modern, multifunctional cultural hub within a university context.

All Photographs are works of Yu-Chen Chao