Heart of Dawu
Heart of Dawu is a highway service area built at Dawu Fishing Port in Taitung, Taiwan. The two-story building takes the image of a lighthouse, and its curved walls in earth tones link the blue sea in front with the green mountains behind. Reinforced concrete, wood and glass form the main structure. Reversed beams create space for planting, while the top floor holds a walkway and an observation deck facing the Pacific Ocean. The building provides resting areas and a center for local agricultural and fishery products, and presents the culture of Taitung to travelers.
Heart of Dawu Service Area by C.M CHAO ARCHITECT&PLANNERS was identified as an innovative representation of architectural design by the A' Design Awards. Heart of Dawu Service Area received the Bronze A' Design Award in Architecture, Building and Structure Design in 2024. The A' Architecture, Building and Structure Design Award is a juried, academic and highly prestigious design recognition program that celebrates superior design of skyscrapers, museums, residential buildings, commercial complexes, educational institutions, religious structures, infrastructure designs, landscaping projects and more.
