Meeting Axis Deers: A Pocket Park Revival

Yu-Jung Tseng's Design Melds History with Urban Greenery

Yu-Jung Tseng's vision for Meeting Axis Deers is deeply rooted in the past, where the Fengyuan district once flourished with meadows and wildlife. This pocket park aims to recreate those serene atmospheres, offering residents a haven of joy, tranquility, and natural beauty. The park's design is a tribute to the Axis deer, once native to the area, symbolizing elegance and the ethereal, and reconnecting the community with their natural heritage.

Distinct from its surroundings, the project stands out in the old city's chaotic residential tapestry. The plan involves demolishing old structures to make way for this green oasis, designed to enhance public welfare and inject nature into the everyday lives of the residents. The park's layout maximizes green space, creating pedestrian-friendly zones and accessible recreational areas that promise to enrich community life.

Meeting Axis Deers is not just a visual masterpiece but a technological marvel in sustainability. The park's vegetation is expected to absorb 158 tons of carbon dioxide annually. It aims to increase the green coverage rate to 90%, significantly reducing air pollutants like dust and PM2.5. The design also incorporates an edible garden, contributing to the local food supply and promoting organic living. Moreover, the park will serve as a social hub, encouraging outdoor activities and fostering community well-being.

Addressing environmental challenges, the design includes innovative rainwater management. A vast grassland area is engineered to collect and store rainwater, capable of amassing 46 tons during the rainy season, which will be utilized for irrigation. This feature is not only practical but also aligns with the project's sustainable ethos, ensuring the park remains lush and vibrant all year round.

Spanning 1980 square meters, Meeting Axis Deers is a meticulous blend of aesthetics and functionality. The park is divided into four distinct garden zones, each with its own character and purpose. These include the Herb Garden, Moss Fern Garden, Cherry Blossom Garden, and Prairie Garden, all designed to offer diverse experiences and serve various functions for the community.

Launched in January 2022 and set to complete by June 2024, the project is a testament to the power of design in transforming spaces and lives. It stands as a model for urban development, prioritizing ecological sustainability and community well-being. The design's underlying research aims to create a vibrant ecological habitat that also mitigates the urban heat island effect, making it a pioneering project in landscape design.

Yu-Jung Tseng's Meeting Axis Deers has overcome significant challenges, such as improving access for emergency services and managing seasonal water resources, by integrating local materials and innovative landscaping. This project is not only a design triumph but also a winner of the Iron A' Landscape Planning and Garden Design Award in 2024, recognized for its practicality, innovation, and contribution to a better world.