Nanhua Glimmer: A Reimagined Landscape

Atelier Let's and JR Architects Transform Decommissioned Campus into a Community Hub

The inspiration for Nanhua Glimmer came from the natural beauty of the region. The continuous curvature of the concrete retaining walls echoes the patterns of the pineapple fields and the folds of the mountain ridges. The elements of mist and glimmer, integral to the design, are reminiscent of the collective memory of the locals. At nights, the mountain mist flows along the ridges, creating radiances around the streetlights afar. This recreated misty scene brings up the visual memories of gazing afar towards the mountain covered in mist and clouds.

The uniqueness of this design lies in its ability to seamlessly blend technology with nature. The mist generating facility uses finer spraying nozzles to create a texture similar to mountain mists, irrigating the plants at the same time. Light strips are embedded in the installation, dispersing light evenly across the space. The retaining walls were constructed with traditional materials and the local construction method of terrazzo, providing a sense of familiarity to the audiences.

While the design is visually stunning, it also serves a practical purpose. The decommissioned campus has transformed into the Pingtung AI Agriculture Hub with a landscape park for the community and the elderly. It creates a more inviting atmosphere for the locals by opening up the campus boundary and linking the new greenery and lighting with the surrounding. The selected variety of plants within the campus presents an ecological education opportunity for the public, including the edible plants on the green hills and the restoration of aquatic plants in the eco pond.

The project, which began in September 2020 and was completed in December 2021, faced several challenges. These included removing the former school campus wall, retaining the mature trees within the campus, creating a space for all, and controlling the mist effects precisely. However, through careful planning and negotiation, these challenges were successfully overcome.

The Nanhua Glimmer project has been recognized for its innovative design and impact on the community, winning the Golden A' Landscape Planning and Garden Design Award in 2022. This prestigious award is granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's prodigy and wisdom. They are venerated products and bright ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.