LOHA’s port proposal for the island of Kinmen, Taiwan, draws upon its community’s rich history of cultural collaboration and natural connectivity, intertwining ferry passenger operations with a public park that may serve as an iconic gateway and enduring infrastructure for island residents and their guests.

Conceptualized as both a landscape and a building, the port seeks to combine a waterfront park with a transport terminal. This creates a unique parkscape for users. To preserve Kinmen’s relationship to the sea, the passenger service center is lifted above the ground plane so that clear views extend through the building to the water. The project’s form is generated from a grid of folded triangular planes that weave the public park through and above its volume.

The building becomes a prominent beacon for inbound ferry passengers while its peaks and folds undulate in harmony with the island’s hilly terrain.

Visitors are allowed views from the rooftop park and the glass promenade running along the north face of the building. Internally, passengers may take in sweeping vistas from waiting lounges, shopping and restaurants. The administration tower, at a slightly higher vantage point, looks back towards Kinmen Island’s lush landscape.

The folding planes create ideal opportunities for natural daylighting, smooth circulation flows, and the integration of natural park space throughout the building. The new park will house a number of amenities for travelers and residents, including gardens and orchards, water features, scenic overlooks, performance seating, and event space. From above, the roof plan looks like a woven tapestry of programmed textures. The lattice derives its color and patterning from the intricate vernacular detailing of existing island buildings. Inside, the green space will become a backdrop for passenger activities.

The success of this project relies on its ability to accommodate thousands of daily passenger visits while maintaining a graceful presence on the island’s waterfront.  The port is both a gateway and a destination, melding performance with cultural heritage. Integrating the parkway into the form of the ferry terminal creates a unique typology of terminal building uniquely suited to Kinmen’s future as a hub at the intersection of history, nature, and commerce.