Nangan 86 – Perceiving Through the Layers

Site 86, which is located at the far north of Nangan Island of Matsu, was built to protect the Matsu area. Tunnels and bunkers are built on the surface of hard rocks. There are nine small hidden openings along the coastal terrain through which guns can be fired. In low elevation areas, the high and low tides can reach the tunnels. On the top of the tunnels is vegetation that changes across seasons.

Through the translation of architecture, we reread the geographical features of the site and established the relationships between media, such as the tide difference at sea level, the hard rock surface, the ground and ceiling of the void of the tunnel, and soft surfaces covered with vegetation.

Through the spatial content of the sensory library, visitors can explore the influence of environmental knowledge on bodily sensations and the relationship between the two. Environmental content includes tide, geology, sound, light, and coastal planting. Through the library’s audio relationship and the mediation of the sensory site, visitors who visit this space can learn about the geographical and environmental features of the site.

We applied figure–ground theory to conduct spatial research and discuss the spatial interfaces of void and solid mass. Figure–ground theory explores the ratio of solid mass (figure) to open voids (ground). Accordingly, we discuss what “ground” is, what “ground of a site” is, and how a site approaches a geographical boundary.

For the spatial, sequential, and structural features of the branches at the site, we used the library’s reading area to reconstruct a continual spatial experience. The creation of an audio space represents the creation of an interface. The interface allows for sensory experiences that enable the site to be reread.

Interfered reading involves rereading in response to the natural environment, which allows for the site to be activated.