It could be one of Taipei’s architectural landmarks. The new NICFC (National Innovation, Creativity and Finance Centre) skyscraper was designed by Zaha Hadid Architects in collaboration with C.Y. Lee & Partners. The latter firm is responsible for some of the capital’s most recognisable buildings, including the famous Taipei 101. The new complex will be located in Beimen, a district that is the city’s key financial centre, and will bring together four institutions under the Financial Supervisory Commission, including the stock exchange, the futures exchange and the clearing house.
Its location at the intersection of Zhongxiao West Road and Bo’ai Road means that the NICFC will be located in one of the most intensively used areas of Taipei, surrounded by Taipei Main Station, the historic post office building, the railway museum, Beimen Gate and numerous cultural institutions in the Zhongshan Hall area. The project is part of the Western Gateway Project, which aims to modernise public spaces and improve the quality of life for residents. The architects have focused on pedestrian-friendly solutions: a network of interconnected squares, courtyards and passageways is designed to facilitate movement while preserving attractive views of the city’s historic buildings.
The 1930 Taipei Beimen Post Office building, adjacent to the development, plays a special role in the concept. Its richly decorated structure will be preserved, while later additions, which no longer meet contemporary needs, will give way to new buildings. The historic building will undergo a comprehensive renovation and will become a museum of postal communication and a cultural space. The renovated interiors will feature immersive exhibitions, literary archives and artefacts documenting the development of postal services. A public social area will be created under the columned portico, and the operational functions of the post office will be moved to a new facility equipped with infrastructure that meets the requirements of modern logistics.
Inspiration from plants
The five-storey NICFC podium refers in scale to the historic post office. Its distinctive pleated columns support a glass structure covering the spacious courtyard between the old and new buildings. It is to become a venue for public events, concerts and community gatherings.
Above the podium, a 47-storey tower will rise, its form inspired by the natural undulating structures of the petals of the Phalaenopsis orchid, a plant particularly associated with Taiwan. The architects have translated the organic lines into a dynamic structure that widens towards the top, creating distinctive vertical folds. The interior has been designed with efficiency and flexibility in mind: over 70 per cent of the usable space will be fully utilised, with individual zones assigned to four financial institutions. The tower will also feature shared office spaces, meeting rooms and a conference centre.
The northern façade has been shaped to create concave recesses that open up views of the Taipei skyline and the Qixing and Guanyin mountain ranges. The eastern side of the tower follows the main axis of the city, directing the eye towards Taipei 101 and the Xinyi district. The western façade, facing the Tamsui River valley, has a distinctive arrangement of vertical pleats, while the southern façade meets the urban planning requirements of the administrative area. The upper floors are set back in terraces, which improves shading and reduces the impact of crosswinds.
A key element of the design is an advanced façade system that responds to environmental conditions. The variable depth and angle of the pleats allow for the regulation of sunlight and air flow, allowing the building to function like an organism that adapts to its surroundings. This solution increases energy efficiency in Taipei’s humid, subtropical climate. The NICFC is set to achieve dual environmental certification — LEED Platinum and EEWH Diamond — and operate with net zero emissions.
A high-performance double façade of modular panels, integrated photovoltaic panels and solar installations on the roof are designed to ensure on-site energy production. The design was created using detailed digital mapping and 3D modelling, which allowed for the optimisation of the building’s orientation and façade parameters. The construction will use materials with low volatile organic compound content, recyclable elements and modular structural systems that reduce the carbon footprint. The rainwater collection and reuse system will reduce the demand for water from the municipal network.
design: Zaha Hadid Architects
collaboration: C.Y. Lee & Partners
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The Taipei 101 skyscraper, towering over the city, was designed by architects from the C.Y. Lee studio:
The new NICFC skyscraper designed by Zaha Hadid Architects and C.Y. Lee & Partners:
