2014 National Excellence in Construction Awards Announced, Taipei City Wins Two Golds

(Taiwan Business News) Three projects presented by Taipei City - "Zhinan Scenic Area," "Hushan Community Air-Raid Shelter Renovation Project," and "Dakeng Creek Waterfront Secret Spot" - participated in the 2014 National Excellence in Construction Awards and received high recognition of 2 Gold Quality Awards and 1 Quality Award.

He Ming-yu, Section Chief of the Forest Recreation Section of Taipei City's Geotechnical Engineering Office, said that "Zhinan Scenic Area" completed the 12 Chinese Zodiac rest spaces and the Shimmering Spring Plaza along the trails last year, using the traditional Chinese 12 Chinese Zodiac signs to represent different stages of life, strengthening the thematic imagery of "Life Guide" and adding lively elements.

Zhang Jia-nan, Village Chief of Zhinan Village, also stated that through the lively and romantic imagery recently introduced, more and more young people are stepping into this site that originated from religious culture.

The "Hushan Community Air-Raid Shelter Renovation Project" is located in Hushan Village, Beitou District, and is the only air-raid shelter in Taiwan, China designed with a spiral staircase. Nearby residents affectionately call it the "Atomic Bomb Air-Raid Shelter" or the "Underground Presidential Office." It is said that Chiang Kai-shek inspected it once upon completion, but never actually used it inside.

Li Qiu-xia, Village Chief of Hushan Village, said the air-raid shelter has unique historical significance. She thanked the Geotechnical Engineering Office for its help in revitalizing the historic building while creating a local tourist attraction, allowing the air-raid shelter that had been abandoned for many years to be presented again.

Huang Tian-jin, Section Chief of the Debris Flow Prevention Section, recommended the "Dakeng Creek Waterfront Secret Spot," located beside Lane 308, Section 2, Jiuzhuang Street, Nangang District, with "Zen Spirit. Tea Village" as its main theme, allowing the public to stroll along the water-friendly steps and platforms, experience "mental relief by being close to water, listening to water, and watching water," and admire the beautiful scenery of the murmuring stream - a small but beautiful project combining disaster mitigation and environmental regeneration. Zhang Rui-fang, Village Chief of Jiuzhuang Village, said that after the Geotechnical Engineering Office's dedicated renovation of Dakeng Creek, not only were disasters reduced, but Nangang Tea Village also gained a waterfront recreation spot.