Houli Forest Park in Taichung City introduces a new management model for the "Four-Person Family," emphasizing sustainable development and cultural integration. Mayor Lu Shiow-Yen is committed to the sustainable development of the park’s green spaces, focusing on revitalizing the area and enhancing its tourism value. The city’s Construction Bureau has introduced private resources by entrusting "Ah Fa Creative Studio" to manage the park, injecting fresh vitality into this wooden structure that combines prefabricated straw-filled earthen walls.
The Construction Bureau introduces private resources for outsourced management, promoting local culture and sustainable development. (Photo / Courtesy of Taichung City Government)
Construction Bureau Director Chen Datian pointed out that since its completion at the Taichung Flora Expo in 2018, the "Four-Person Family" has not only received Diamond-level Building Carbon Footprint Certification but has also won several international design awards, such as the German iF Design Award and the American Architecture MasterPrize. This outsourcing will involve structural reinforcement and landscape optimization of the building, with plans to reopen, inviting citizens to visit with their families.
"Ah Fa Creative Studio" will organize various innovative and sustainable activities, including monthly SDGs-guided workshops, children's sustainable development-themed camps during winter and summer breaks, as well as annual curation events and specialized exchanges. These activities aim to enhance public awareness of ecological conservation and sustainable development. The park will also feature four specially designed ecological conservation products themed around protected animals like the Formosan clouded leopard, paired with a specialty light food restaurant offering diverse dining options.
The city’s Construction Bureau hopes that through these activities and products, citizens and visitors will be guided to focus on Taichung’s local ecological conservation issues. Houli Forest Park aims to become an ideal gathering place for visitors and citizens, providing a comfortable resting space where everyone can enjoy the beauty of award-winning architecture while experiencing the charm of sustainable living.
