Bronze Interior Space and Exhibition Design · 2025
Serenity Multifunctional Cultural Venue
by Chiao Yi Tang and Wan Shih Yang
- A' Design Award 2025 Bronze Winner in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation for International Scholarly Exchange
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 13,200
- Verification code 392941009D · Verify this award
About Serenity Multifunctional Cultural Venue
This space merges a museum and digital library, embodying serenity and Sinology. The entrance features a marble texture wall and tall windows that create a play of light and shadow. Three volumes surround a central courtyard, distinguishing paths for visitors and researchers. Sunlit areas connect various spaces, while block-like walls create immersive environments. A staircase leads to the second floor with an audiovisual space and lounge. Stacked stone structures at the core reflect the collection's depth and connect both floors, with an open courtyard view fostering contemplation.
Chiao-Yi, Tang's design for this reception environment participates in the contemporary movement toward material authenticity and spatial restraint that has characterized institutional and cultural architecture across the past two decades, drawing upon design traditions that privilege natural materials, honest tectonic expression, and the integration of interior experience with landscape context, the composition demonstrates considerable technical accomplishment in its orchestration of diverse materials into a unified spatial narrative, the extensive timber ceiling system represents a particularly successful passage, its rhythmic linear members creating visual texture and acoustic performance while maintaining lightness and permeability rather than oppressive enclosure, the decision to interrupt the planar grid with a cascading stepped element at center reveals compositional confidence, introducing sculptural drama and directional emphasis without abandoning the overall geometric discipline, this intervention transforms what might have been a merely functional suspended ceiling into an architectural feature worthy of contemplation, serving both pragmatic purposes such as concealing mechanical systems and acoustic control while simultaneously providing aesthetic enrichment and spatial character, the integration of extensive glazing along the left elevation demonstrates understanding of biophilic design principles and the psychological benefits of visual connection to natural environments, flooding the interior with daylight that reduces energy consumption while enhancing occupant wellbeing, the transparency also establishes the reception hall as a threshold condition rather than an enclosed fortress, inviting approach and suggesting institutional accessibility and openness, the monumental marble wall anchoring the right portion of the composition provides material gravitas and textural richness, its book-matched veining creating organic visual interest that contrasts productively with the geometric linearity dominating the ceiling plane, this juxtaposition of natural geological pattern against constructed architectural order reflects a broader design philosophy that seeks harmony between human making and natural formation, the reception counter itself maintains appropriate restraint, its textured gray cladding and pale countertop avoiding unnecessary ornamentation while providing dignified functional presence, the concealed service niche with its warm golden illumination represents thoughtful attention to operational requirements, acknowledging that cultural venues require back-of-house functionality without allowing service requirements to compromise spatial quality, the overall color palette demonstrates remarkable discipline, working within a narrow range of warm and cool neutrals punctuated by amber lighting accents, this chromatic restraint creates an atmosphere of calm professionalism appropriate to cultural institutions that serve as contemplative retreats from urban intensity, the lighting strategy layering natural daylight with strategic artificial accents reveals sophisticated understanding of how illumination shapes spatial perception and material appearance throughout diurnal cycles, the careful attention to surface finishes including the polished reflective floor, matte textured counter cladding, and richly veined stone wall creates tactile and visual variety that prevents monotony while maintaining compositional unity, the space appears designed to welcome diverse audiences while maintaining institutional dignity, balancing accessibility with appropriate formality, the generous ceiling height and horizontal spatial extension visible in the composition suggest volumetric generosity that avoids cramped utilitarian efficiency in favor of spatial quality that dignifies everyday functions like arrival and reception, one observes throughout the composition an integration of aesthetic and functional considerations, where beauty emerges not from applied decoration but from the thoughtful selection, detailing, and arrangement of materials performing necessary architectural roles, this approach suggests design philosophy aligned with modernist principles of truth to materials and fitness to purpose, updated through contemporary concern for sustainability, human wellbeing, and cultural sensitivity, the space invites viewers to consider how everyday institutional environments might be elevated through attention to material quality, spatial proportion, natural light, and the integration of interior and exterior experience, how reception halls and transitional spaces need not be merely functional corridors but can provide moments of aesthetic contemplation and embodied comfort that enhance the cultural mission they serve.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This project aims to create a calm and peaceful space by integrating a museum with global digital libraries focused on Sinology research while incorporating the philosophy of the mind. As visitors enter, they will find a peaceful atmosphere that reflects the smooth flow of calligraphy, turning it into beautiful shapes and soft light. Contemplation fosters clarity and insight, helping us recognize our place in the world and deepening our appreciation of life.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The total area of the indoor space is around 6,537 square meters, including the visitor center, the guidance area, and the main building (three floors).
- Tags
- Museum, Library, Exhibition Hall, Contemporary Culture, Chinese Studies, Metaphysics, Culture, Collections Of The Palace Museum, Sustainable Design, Green Building
- Production Technology
- The main building includes a central space for cultural relics, surrounded by exhibition halls, a library, a multimedia room, and a conference hall, all linked by a lobby, corridors, and a coffee shop. Designed to maximize natural light and views, the facility features temperature control, efficient lighting, and sound acoustics, all using healthy materials. It has achieved Taiwan’s Diamond level green building certification.
- Design Challenge
- Incorporating a memory theater that spans from ancient times to the present, the design features a wood-textured ceiling that embodies Eastern aesthetics, while latticed structures symbolize continuity. Set against the profound granite flooring, white walls, and column arrays frame the park’s scenic views. The veining of Carrara marble shapes the main landscape wall, while stacked stone blocks represent historical depth. Decorative panels resembling bronze further convey cultural sustainability.
- Project Duration
- The design and construction schedule of Ching-Kuo Chi-Hai Cultural Park is divided into two phases. The first phase began in November 2020 and was completed in January 2022 with an opening ceremony. The second phase began in March 2022 and was completed in August 2024.
- Operation Flow
- The concept of space is expressed through a range of calligraphy techniques, including ink application, rendering, and flying white. Firstly, "Dense ink" is transformed into solid forms that embody strength, while "rendering" becomes a dynamic area filled with resonance. Meanwhile, "flying white" represents an open space flooded with natural light, creating seamless connections between diverse areas.
- Research
- This project is the first presidential library, dedicated to studying national leaders and their historical contexts. It draws inspiration from historical materials provided by the foundation, and case studies from national libraries and cultural art museums. To foster an environment rich in historical significance and academic depth, the Ruentex Interior Design team approaches design through the lens of Sinology, creating a new social landmark that integrates culture, history, and leisure.
- Inspiration
- The concept of "Cultural Essence" is expressed through calligraphy, paintings, and ancient lecture halls inspired by the Forbidden City. It allows individuals to experience the inspiration that comes from the literary pursuits of scholars and cultured individuals of the past, reflecting social phenomena and cultural heritage. This inspiration is linked to contemporary sustainability issues in humanities and natural ecology, showcasing a character of resilience, peace, and superiority.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Photographer Xiaoxiong Liangyan, Warm Welcome, 2022.
Image #2: Photographer Xiaoxiong Liangyan, Tranquility, 2022.
Image #3: Photographer Xiaoxiong Liangyan, Humanities Gathering, 2022.
Image #4: Photographer Xiaoxiong Liangyan, Resilience, 2022.
Image #5: Photographer Xiaoxiong Liangyan, Gathering of Humanities, 2022.
Video Credits: RUENTEX INTERIOR DESIGN INC., 2022. - Patents
- Copyrights belong to RUENTEX INTERIOR DESIGN INC., 2022.
Colors of Serenity Multifunctional Cultural Venue
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Design Interview about Serenity Multifunctional Cultural Venue
The word "tranquility" is used to express the theme of the park, and the power, rhythm and momentum of calligraphy are used to flow through the space, presenting the field characteristics of "perseverance, tranquility and transcendence". We use the power, rhythm and momentum of calligraphy written in light ink to shape the space, add color and material texture, and show the combination of context, culture and transcendence into the museum, conveying gentlemanliness, solidity and sustainability.
This project, the first presidential library, is dedicated to studying the nation's head of state and their original spatial-temporal context, transforming it into a spatial atmosphere. Through abstract aesthetic expression, it reinterprets the conventional architectural image. Emphasizing authenticity and simplicity in material selection and integrating natural elements such as light and shadow, it creates a poetic ambiance that resonates deeply with people.
Share the joy with customers.
Inspired by calligraphy provided by the client.
Ancient relics, calligraphy exhibitions and art galleries.
The park is based on President Ching-kuo, who led Taiwan's economic takeoff, and touches on the artistic conception from ancient poems: “Although the ancients are long gone, their exemplary deeds still remain in the world; flipping through the ancient books of sages under the cool eaves, the moral demeanor of the sages jumps out of the paper, like a ray of light shining on my face.”
The main building is designed with the core volume of the cultural relics collection space, surrounding exhibition halls, libraries, multimedia rooms, and conference rooms. The lighting connects the lobby, corridors, and café with the landscape. The entire venue incorporates temperature and humidity control, lighting, acoustics, and energy-saving designs, along with healthy building materials, achieving Taiwan's diamond-level green building certification.
Incorporating a memory theater that spans from ancient times to the present, the design features a wood-textured ceiling that embodies Eastern aesthetics, while latticed structures symbolize continuity. Set against the profound granite flooring, white walls and column arrays frame the park’s scenic views. The veining of Carrara marble shapes the main landscape wall, while stacked stone blocks represent historical depth. Bronze-like decorative panels further convey cultural sustainability.
This project is jointly sponsored by the Chiang Ching-kuo Foundation and our design department (ID, MEP). The detailed design also includes professional consultants for lighting, sound, video, etc.
Changes in time sequence scenes and lighting control, etc.
This project aims to create a tranquil space by integrating a museum with global digital libraries focused on Sinology research while incorporating metaphysics. The entrance sets the serene atmosphere, transforming the rhythm of calligraphic strokes into tangible forms and light interplay. This harmonious flow of materials reveals deeper meanings, allowing visitors to experience clarity and expansiveness through contemplation.
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Grand Interview about Serenity Multifunctional Cultural Venue
"Serenity" aims to create a tranquil environment that integrates the functions of a museum with a global digital library of Sinology, infused with metaphysical philosophical thinking. The design is inspired by the calligrapher Tong Yang-Tze and architect Kris Yao. Through the interplay of light and shadow, materials, and spatial rhythm, the project transforms three classic brushstroke techniques from Chinese calligraphy—dense ink, shading, and flying white—interpreting their strength and rhythm to convey the spiritual essence of the space. “Dense ink” is embodied through the use of stacked granite in the archive, evoking a grounded, solid presence. “Shading” finds form in the flowing, cloud-like veining of Carrara white marble on the exhibition hall’s main wall, as well as in the softly layered ceiling grids that diffuse light and create atmospheric depth. “Flying white,” characterized by intentional lightness and emptiness, inspires the design of the atrium and second-floor open areas, where voids invite natural light to animate the shifting balance between openness and enclosure. By abstracting these calligraphic gestures into spatial language, the project offers more than a visual experience—it becomes a contemplative journey. The interplay of solidity and subtlety, fullness and absence, material and immaterial, reflects both aesthetic intention and philosophical depth. The result is a space that transcends conventional boundaries, resonating with resilience, serenity, and transcendence.
Balancing the historical grandeur of the Forbidden City's ancient lecture halls with contemporary sustainability required a synthesis of form and ideology. We embraced traditional Eastern aesthetics—such as timber textures, bronze panels, and whitewashed walls—while ensuring that every design element met modern green building standards. For instance, the wood-like patterns on the ceiling evoke classical architecture yet integrate seamlessly with advanced acoustic panels and intelligent lighting systems. The furniture and spatial layout were designed to be modular and flexible, supporting contemporary functions without compromising cultural ambiance. By grounding every design decision in both historical reverence and ecological mindfulness, we preserved authenticity while creating a space that is future-ready.
The central courtyard was conceived as the “breathing heart” of the venue—a shared, contemplative core where paths of research and general visitation diverge. This spatial distinction emerged from our desire to respect the differing rhythms of study and leisure. Scholars require quietude and focus, while general visitors benefit from more fluid and exploratory circulation. The courtyard's open layout, framed by corridors and transparent walls, visually and physically delineates these flows while remaining inclusive. Inspired by Chinese garden philosophy, it also becomes a symbolic axis that harmonizes activity and stillness, academic pursuit and public interaction.
The use of Carrara marble and stacked stone was driven by a desire to root the space in enduring material narratives. Carrara marble, with its natural veining, offers both elegance and a sense of movement—echoing the flowing forms of calligraphy. It is prominently used in entrance walls to create a serene yet powerful first impression. The stacked stones, on the other hand, evoke layers of time and memory, suggesting a sedimentation of culture and thought. By combining these materials, we sought to create a multisensory experience—one where the textures speak to both the permanence of heritage and the continuous unfolding of history.
As Taiwan's first Presidential Library, this serene and multifunctional cultural venue bears a significant historical responsibility—not only to preserve the nation's memory, but also to respond to contemporary demands for public knowledge and interdisciplinary dialogue. This mission deeply influences our spatial design strategies and methods.The library’s public areas are divided into two distinct zones: the exhibition hall and the members-only library. The exhibition space is dedicated to presenting presidential archives and collections. Precious artifacts are displayed in secure showcases, while historical documents and imagery are projected through films and visual installations to evoke a strong sense of realism and historical presence. The library section operates on a membership system, primarily serving scholars and academics. It regularly hosts academic symposia and also offers venue rentals, encouraging dynamic, cross-disciplinary events—such as a recent Louis Vuitton runway show.In terms of spatial planning, we have carefully balanced the solemnity required for heritage preservation with the flexibility needed for modern usage. For example, the exhibition zone employs warm materials and controlled lighting to create a contemplative atmosphere. In contrast, the academic and event spaces feature movable partitions, modular furnishings, and advanced acoustic treatments, allowing them to easily transform into conference rooms, discussion lounges, or lecture venues.More importantly, the library actively welcomes creative and cross-sector collaborations. By doing so, it redefines what a presidential library can be—not just a repository of the past, but a living platform for thought, culture, and exchange. Through deliberate spatial design and operational flexibility, the library allows history and the present, scholarship and creativity, public service and cultural innovation to coexist seamlessly, fulfilling its role as a space where cultural memory and forward-looking imagination converge.
Achieving Taiwan’s Diamond level green building certification required an integrated design strategy that married sustainability with cultural authenticity. From material selection to mechanical systems, every choice served dual purposes. We prioritized locally sourced, low-emission materials such as water-based paints and natural stone. Intelligent lighting, energy-efficient HVAC, and daylight optimization were seamlessly embedded into the design. At the same time, we ensured these systems did not disrupt the visual purity or spatial rhythm inspired by traditional calligraphy and architecture. The result is a holistic environment where sustainability is not an add-on, but a deeply embedded design ethos that supports both human well-being and cultural continuity.
The use of wood-textured ceilings and lattice structures in this serene, multifunctional cultural venue is deeply rooted in Eastern aesthetics, embodying both continuity and introspection. These design elements are not merely decorative—they are conceptually inspired by traditional philosophies and natural landscapes that emphasize the interplay between presence and absence.The lattice motif, in particular, draws inspiration from Chinese bamboo groves, where vertical bamboo poles intersect with layers of foliage and shifting light to create a visual rhythm of opacity and transparency. This natural layering of views—where scenery is partially revealed and partially concealed—serves as a metaphor for contemplation and subtle perception. Translating this into architecture, the lattice becomes a permeable boundary: it allows light, air, and sightlines to flow through, while gently defining space. It offers enclosure without confinement, inviting visitors to slow down and engage with the space mindfully.The wood-grain ceiling further reinforces this calm atmosphere, emphasizing natural materials and the passage of time. It reflects the Eastern principle of Dao fa zi ran (道法自然)—"the Way follows nature"—and adds warmth and softness to the overall spatial experience. Meanwhile, the repetitive grid of the lattice structure visually evokes a sense of order and continuity, symbolizing the flow of history, thought, and time.Together, these elements create an atmosphere of quiet depth and layered meaning—a spatial rhythm that supports reflection, scholarly inquiry, and cultural dialogue. In this way, the space itself becomes a medium for communication: a place where tradition and modernity, structure and emotion, converge to foster introspection and intellectual exchange.
The abstract interpretation of calligraphy evolved through a deep engagement with its philosophical essence rather than its literal form. In early conceptual sketches, we analyzed the kinetic qualities of brushstrokes—their rhythm, pauses, and transitions—and mapped these into spatial sequences. For example, an ink stroke's bold beginning inspired the anchoring mass of the central exhibition wall, while its fading tail informed the soft fade-out of a curved corridor lit by diffuse lighting. Over time, this metaphor expanded from walls and surfaces to circulation, acoustics, and even scent. Architecture, in this sense, became a multi-sensory calligraphic poem—experienced in motion, light, and silence.
We envisioned Serenity as a hybrid knowledge environment where analog and digital wisdom coexist. The integration of a digital Sinology library within a traditional museum setting reflects our belief that scholarly inquiry is both rooted and evolving. Digital infrastructure—such as interactive databases, remote access terminals, and audiovisual archives—is embedded discreetly, preserving the architectural purity while enabling modern research methods. At the same time, physical archives, rare manuscripts, and tactile reading spaces cultivate the sensory and contemplative aspects of learning. This coexistence allows researchers and visitors to navigate between eras and formats seamlessly, enriching both personal insight and collective memory.
What sets Serenity apart in contemporary architectural discourse is its ability to merge intangible cultural values with high-performance spatial design. Rather than imposing stylistic tropes, we translated metaphysical concepts—such as clarity of mind, resilience, and humility—into spatial expressions. The project innovates through restraint: it elevates silence over spectacle, meaning over decoration. It also redefines what a cultural venue can be—not merely a place of display, but a living, breathing ecosystem for learning, dialogue, and introspection. This quiet radicalism, grounded in both tradition and innovation, represents the type of design thinking we believe the future needs most.