Forest Era & A-li-shan

In the “Forest Era” and “A-li-shan” exhibition halls, the designers draw upon the local history of forestry and the imagery of the forest to reinterpret heritage spaces. By integrating raw timber, industrial metal elements, and contemporary digital fabrication techniques, the project seeks to infuse new vitality into the fabric of historic architecture.

"Forest Era" traces the timber production process to tell the story of Alishan's forestry industry. Through a carefully orchestrated combination of visual, olfactory, auditory, and tactile elements, the exhibition creates an immersive, multisensory experience that allows visitors to engage with the material and cultural memory of wood.

In contrast, the spatial design of “A-li-shan” is inspired by the phenomenon of crown shyness in forest canopies. The layout encourages visitors to move through the space as if wandering along forest trails, fostering an organic and intuitive interaction between body and environment. The exhibition further incorporates Indigenous mythology alongside contemporary artistic practices, presenting a dialogue that spans generations.

Together, the two exhibition halls explore the dynamic relationship between human creativity and the natural world. By bridging traditional forestry culture, ecological phenomena, and modern design approaches, the project reflects on over a century of coexistence, transformation, and mutual inspiration between people and the forest.