Site No.15, Beigan
Located on the southwestern side of the Beigan Island of Matsu, the site is a deserted military bunker. On one side is a main road that extends into the steep mountains, and on the other side is a bay surrounded by the rocky landscape. This bunker is located close to Beigan Airport and at the edge of a small village. Its concrete walls are covered by plants such that it does not attract much attention. The bunker is only one-story high, and houses an old artillery muzzle and a tank. Deep inside the bunker is an opening that leads to a narrow, dead-end tunnel.
Let us imagine placing a new box inside an old black box and applying within the box various spatial use and atmosphere models. We expect to revitalize the long-deserted bunker, which is located in a village with a decreasing population, to create a new public space.
Old: The site is conserved and converted into a homestay. We will retain its enigmatic, dark spatial atmosphere to provide a unique accommodation to tourists, allowing them to experience the local daily life of the people living in Houwo Village in Beigan.
New: At the front of the old building, we built a multistory café extending toward the sky. In contrast with the surrounding older buildings, the café appears transparent, bright, and tall.
The coexistence of old and new elements is achieved by building a staircase at the middle of the site to connect the two.



The base is named Site 15. It is where tourists from various places can gather. At this homestay, which is backed against the mountain and facing the sea, tourists can enjoy the natural sceneries of Beigan and experience a pure and authentic lifestyle.
- Complete isolation: The elevator and stairways are both outdoors. Through a straight, long ramp, the entrance to the homestay is connected to the main building and the café.
- The linear, semi-outdoor corridor faces the Beigan Airport. From there, airplanes can be seen taking off and landing.







The site is surrounded by mountains and faces the sea. Thus, we designed a café that is based on the old building to provide a leisurely view of the sea to tourists. For the exterior, we hope to create a light and translucent atmosphere, one which transcends that of the main body of the old building.
The café can be entered from the ramp on the first floor or from the elevator at the slope by the embankment that leads to the second floor.
For the interior, we hope to portray the design concept and direction of “exhibition and objectification”. The interior design arrangements and layout of this unconventional café emphasizes on the exhibition of and directions to each site.
- On the four rows of neatly-arranged shoe cabinets are numerous irregularly-arranged round holes, each with a 10-cm diameter*. The spatial design is such that visitors first go down the slope by the embankment to the platform on the right to check in. Subsequently, they move along the corridor at the side to the entrance to reach the homestay. After the visitors enter the homestay, they must change into indoor slippers at the entrance. If they are wearing jackets, they can hang them in the coat room located at the back section of the homestay and quickly put them on when they are leaving the homestay.






- Elevated space (3.5 m)
- On top of the shower head is a round hole with a 20-cm diameter. When the shower is running, the water is reflected by the light from the hole and appears crystal clear.
- A separate strategy was employed for the other two small shower rooms. Light matte stainless steel is used for the external wall. The height of the shower room is identical to that of the corridor (3 m), thereby creating a contrast between the main and the secondary spaces.
* Sequence of images of spatial progression
The ceiling at the entrance is lower (3 m), and the corridor is dark. Light only enters from small holes in the corner to indicate direction. After visitors enter the shower room, they will find a higher ceiling. When they turn on the water, the water resembles a lit water curtain. The space gradually fills with steam, making the entire space and the sandblasted glass blurry and hard to see through.
- Two types of multiparton rooms are available, namely the 8-person room and the 10-person room. On top of each bed are scattered round holes 50 cm in diameter.
- During the day, the holes allow light to filter through, partially lighting the room and resemble a light show.


- This room was originally used to install artillery muzzles. Therefore, this room is wider at one end and narrower at the other end. The double bed is placed at the narrower section of the room. At the ceiling on top of the bed are two overlapping round holes, each 50-cm in diameter.
- An extremely narrow space. The walls on both sides of the room are within reach.
- At the ceiling is a round hole with a 50-cm diameter that allows light to enter.
* Sequence of images in spatial progression
At the entrance, visitors can find holes at two corners of the ceiling that allow light to enter and reach the dark corridor. After visitors enter the room, which is extremely dark, they can only see a double bed. On the ceiling above the bed are two overlapping light holes that allowing light to shine on the bed.

- Holy toilet and urinal
- The ceiling has a round hole with a 20-cm diameter that allows light to shine directly on the toilet and urinal.
* Sequence of images in spatial progression
To enter the restroom, visitors can follow the light from the small holes located at the three corners to locate the door. Thus, before they enter the restroom, they will experience a change in mood. After they enter the restroom, they will find an elevated toilet/urinal surrounded by gray walls. This room has nothing else. On the ceiling above the toilet/urinal is a hole that allows light to shine directly into the room.


Because the space inside the old building is limited, we decided to situate the private homestay areas on the first floor and to situate the public space for visitors on the rooftop of the old building to create both private and public spaces.
The living room is a mezzanine space that is elevated relative to the café. Visitors staying here can enjoy the smell of coffee and the ocean view in front of them. They can also descend the stairs from this space to enter the café.
This space includes a heater and recreational facilities. During the day, visitors can spend a time here and enjoy the company of the ocean. At night, they can gaze at the stars with other visitors while chatting and interacting with one another.

Task
Translating and Regenerating the Military Heritage in Matsu