The Hsinchu East Gate Plaza (東門城廣場) Revitalization project has been recognized by the 2022 AIA International Design Awards, winning the Honor Award for Urban Design, Sustainable Future Award and Inclusive Design Excellence Award.
Designed by Taiwanese architect Chiu Wen-chieh (邱文傑), the East Gate Plaza is one of Hsinchu's most recognizable landmarks. In an interview with Central News Agency, Chiu explained that achieving a "walkable city" and making use of the plaza to serve as a retaining basin during heavy rainfalls are the design principles of the project. He believes that the AIA jury members recognized the team’s effort in designing a barrier-free environment as well as their goal of creating a sustainable design to reduce negative impacts on the environment.
With 200 years of history, the ruin of the old castle was renovated twice by the team led by Chiu. After completing the first renovation project two decades ago, the historic site won first prize in the Taiwan Residential Architecture Award and the second edition of the Far Eastern Architectural Design Award.
This time, the purpose of Chiu's design project was to renovate the entire area, and the pedestrian paths and pits were reconstructed in an attempt to create a more flexible and open urban space. The plaza expresses the stratified histories ranging from the Qing Dynasty, the Japanese ruling era, and the Republic of China, and it also plays a role in flood control. Previously, the design won Japan’s Good Design Award in 2021 and Golden Pin Design Award in 2022.
Born in 1962, Chiu Wen-chieh graduated from the Department of Architecture at Tamkang University. After earning a master's degree in Architecture in Urban Design at Harvard University in 1990, he returned to Taiwan and started his career as a teacher and architect in 1994. He has won several awards such as the Taiwan Architecture Award and the Far East Architecture Awards. In 2007 and 2008, he represented Taiwan to participate in Hong Kong/Shenzhen Architecture Biennale and Venice Architecture Biennale.
(Photo courtesy of Jay Chiu Architects & Associates)