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Heito 1909: Urban Park Transformation

Heito 1909, a groundbreaking urban park project by David Chen, breathes new life into an abandoned factory site in Pingtung, Taiwan. The park, a fusion of historical preservation and modern urban design, aims to bridge the gap in Taiwan's history by repurposing the ruins of factories from significant eras such as the colonists era, World War II, and the post-war industrial period.

The project, a first of its kind in Taiwan, not only transforms the industrial ruins into a recreational space but also rejuvenates the polluted river into a natural habitat, creating a unique urban landscape that reflects the area's rich historical significance.

Using advanced technology such as point cloud laser scanning and parametric design, the project meticulously documents historical remains and constructs pavilions with a gradual sequence, ensuring a seamless blend of the old and the new.

The project, which commenced in June 2018, underwent two phases of design and construction, with the first phase focusing on excavation and landscape infrastructure, completed in January 2020. The second phase, involving historical site reuse, was finished in January 2021.

Challenges such as the lack of public interest in preserving historic industrial parks and the uncertainty of what lay beneath the site were overcome through constant design modifications and experimentation with construction methods.

Heito 1909 has received the prestigious Silver A' Design Award in City Planning and Urban Design, recognizing its outstanding expertise, innovation, and positive impact on the urban landscape.

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