Prior to the establishment of this bus station, villagers and tourists gathered spontaneously at the village entrance, waiting for the bus in a disorderly manner. Due to the frequent changes in rural bus schedules and the unpredictability of arrival times, this waiting experience was often long and tedious. With the joint efforts of the local government, it was decided to create a waiting space at the village entrance to facilitate daily use by villagers and tourists, providing a public space for resting, sightseeing, socializing, and cultural display during the waiting period.
Bus Station: A Place of Convergence Within the entire touring system, Yushan Island boasts magnificent sea views, a heavenly lake, and grasslands, while the small fishing village scenery may seem unremarkable. We hope that visitors can take a breath amidst the stunning landscapes, finding balance and discovering the small beauties around them. At the same time, we also wish for local residents to find new insights and experiences in their familiar daily scenes. The project introduces two dimensions through a static internal exhibition gallery and a dynamic natural landscape, showcasing the fishing village culture of Dongjiao Village to visitors.
The internal exhibition gallery, operated by the local government, displays works such as photography, painting, and folk art created by local people, and serves as a platform for important events and information. Additionally, the project incorporates various visual translations and sightline guidance to bring scenes rich in fishing village characteristics—such as the winds by the sea, stones on the mountain, raised fishing nets, and the lighthouse across the shore—into the space, transforming it into a dynamic cultural experience venue.
In the specific design, we utilize the enclosing components of the bus station to enhance the identification of the location and the fishing village elements of Dongjiao Village, creating an interactive space that allows for continuous discovery and understanding of the fishing village while also providing the option to disengage at any time. The main structure is made of a steel-wood framework, resembling the keel of a fishing boat, standing in contrast to the fishing boats departing in the early morning.
The space is divided into a waiting area and a small internal exhibition gallery by a light, wind-chime-like facade, which visually transforms into dynamic waves with the breeze. We use local stone materials to form stone walls that define the space, echoing the gradually obsolete and disappearing stone houses of Dongjiao Fishing Village. The lighthouse at the nearby cape serves as a spiritually significant point of reference; the design incorporates a beam to create a village entrance archway, complemented by window openings that frame views of the lighthouse across the water, guiding visitors' gaze from the bus station to the overlooked small beauties in the distance.
Conclusion The Dongjiao Village bus station represents our attempt at rural practice. We hope that this building type, which is functionally singular yet frequently appears in our lives, can encompass more functions and interests. While providing a comfortable experience for commuters, we aim to highlight the overlooked beauties in everyday life. A year after the project's completion, we are delighted to see villagers gathering and communicating here, ensuring that rural practice is not merely a fulfillment of the architect's aesthetic preferences and philanthropic mindset.