Our entry for the Taipei Performing Arts Center International Design Competition, "大餅包小餅" (Da Bing Bao Shiao Bing), in collaboration with SWA Group and Charles Salter Associates, reimagines the relationship between public space and cultural institutions. This innovative concept draws inspiration from a beloved Shilin Night Market street food, where a large flat "cookie" wraps around a smaller filled "cookie," creating a culinary experience greater than the sum of its parts. 

Conceptual Framework:

The "big cookie" in our design represents public space: egalitarian, inclusive, and inviting. It envisions a fluid, human-scaled environment where every visitor becomes a participant in the ongoing performance of urban life. In contrast, the "small cookie" embodies the more structured, controlled spaces of the theaters and administrative areas. By wrapping the public realm around these cultural cores, we create a dynamic interplay between openness and intimacy, spontaneity and choreography.

Architectural Features: 

1. Smart Skin Facade: The building's exterior features a cutting-edge "smart" skin that adapts to daily rhythms. During daylight hours, it functions as an energy-efficient solar screen, generating electricity while providing shade. As night falls, this facade transforms into a vibrant LED display, revealing the center's inner life and engaging in a visual dialogue with the colorful Shilin Night Market.

2. Market Integration: Ground-level spaces are designed to celebrate and extend the Shilin market experience. An organic arrangement of shops, stalls, and vendor spaces creates a lively, permeable boundary between the street and the arts center. This design ensures the preservation of local culture and commerce while seamlessly integrating with the new cultural landmark.

3. Elevated Theaters: The Grand Theater and Proscenium Theater are raised above ground level, allowing for natural ventilation and reducing energy needs. This arrangement preserves the integrity of the market below while creating a clear delineation between public and performance spaces.

4. Green Roof Sanctuary: A lush rooftop park crowns the structure, providing a vital urban ecosystem that enhances biodiversity and improves air quality. This elevated green space offers visitors a tranquil retreat with panoramic views of Taipei's skyline, connecting culture with nature.

5. Illuminated Fly Towers: The theater fly towers, clad in smart materials, become luminous beacons at night. These vertical elements create a visual landmark that complements the iconic Jiantan station and harmonizes with the surrounding urban fabric.

6. Fluid Circulation: The design incorporates interconnected passageways and three-dimensional circulation routes that guide visitors from the ground-level market through climate-controlled points into theater lobbies and up to the rooftop park. This flow creates a seamless journey through the various spaces of the center.

Sustainability and Community Focus:

"大餅包小餅" prioritizes environmental stewardship and community engagement. The smart skin's energy generation, the green roof's ecological benefits, and the emphasis on natural ventilation all contribute to the building's sustainability. By preserving and enhancing the market function at ground level, the design also supports local entrepreneurship and reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation.

While this project remains speculative, it embodies our vision for a cultural landmark that celebrates Taipei's rich heritage while embracing innovation. "大餅包小餅" is more than just a proposed performing arts center; it aims to be a living, breathing part of the urban fabric that connects people, culture, and community in meaningful ways. By intertwining public and private spaces, traditional and contemporary elements, and architecture with nature, we seek to create a vibrant hub that serves as a model for future cultural institutions in rapidly evolving urban environments.