The Way of Walls

A philosophically rich work of design – to create a unique and beautiful style, Chiayi Park appropriately incorporated common elements of Minnan architecture to construct 'The Way of Walls'. Its design uses the Heavenly Stems Altar and Earthly Branches Altar as starting and ending platforms, symbolizing respect for the cosmos' operation. It also applies the principle of repeated units, arranged in a staggered manner, to display the spatial characteristic of 'seeking variation within uniformity'. Furthermore, elements like the 'round heaven, square earth' concept in the entrance hall, as well as Bagua shapes, hexagonal forms, and circular arched openings, all symbolize the profound cosmology and philosophy of life cherished by Han Chinese people for thousands of years. The surrounding walls are low and short, easy to cross, known as 'cloud walls'. These 'cloud walls' are designed for sitting, lying, walking, and playing. Their role is no longer to 'enclose' but rather to resemble a vibrant, soaring dragon, full of life and highly distinctive.