Pingtung King Boat Museum

Pingtung King Boat Museum

Introduction

The Donggang King Boat Festival is one of Taiwan’s most significant religious and cultural events, carrying a century-old tradition deeply rooted in maritime beliefs. Recognized as a National Important Intangible Cultural Heritage, the King Boat culture is widely present across coastal regions of Asia, including southeastern China, Vietnam, and other parts of Southeast Asia. This traditional ritual reflects the coastal communities' reverence for the sea, where the construction and burning of the King Boat serve as symbolic acts of communication with deities, sending away plagues and praying for favorable weather and local prosperity. Developed within this cultural framework, the Donggang King Boat Festival has become a defining religious event in Taiwan. The festival consists of several key rituals, including the invitation of deities, a grand procession, ceremonial rites, and the climactic burning of the King Boat, signifying the expulsion of misfortunes and the safeguarding of the community. Guided by the philosophy that "life is culture, and culture is life," this project integrates King Boat traditions, shipbuilding craftsmanship, and the heritage of the King Boat Festival into a "living museum." It aims to not only preserve and pass down these cultural traditions but also to stimulate local tourism and economic development.

The architectural design of this project is inspired by the King Boat, translating its form and maritime imagery into the building’s structure. The layout responds to site conditions, integrating seamlessly with the adjacent park and greenbelt while maintaining a pedestrian-friendly plaza. At the first floor, folded glass panels reduce visual heaviness, echoing the movement of ocean waves. The lifted entrance creates a dynamic threshold, connecting the town with the cultural hall. The upper perforations symbolize the "Dragon Eyes" of the King Boat, while surrounding circular openings represent splashing water, reinforcing the connection between the building and the King Boat Festival. Additionally, an observation deck on the east side of the rooftop strengthens the bond between people and the sea, offering an immersive cultural experience. The façade materials incorporate maritime elements, featuring textured GRC panels that create dynamic light and shadow effects under the southern sun. Upon entering, visitors transition from the bustling everyday world into a sacred cultural space. The soaring volume and open voids establish a spiritual spatial scale, while perforated aluminum mesh enhances transparency, breaking away from the conventional enclosed black-box exhibition format. Resembling ocean ripples, the mesh also acts as an acoustic buffer, reducing noise and fostering a tranquil, sacred atmosphere, guiding visitors into a reflective state of mind. On the third floor, master shipbuilders collaborated during the museum’s construction to craft a full-scale (1:1) ceremonial King Boat within the space. The ship’s prow extends into the central atrium, illuminated by skylights above—symbolizing the connection between humanity and the divine. Since its opening, the Pingtung King Boat Culture Hall has welcomed over 200,000 visitors within its first month, driving local development and establishing itself as a vital center for cultural preservation and community revitalization. The hall is dedicated to passing on the century-old Donggang King Boat Festival, a nationally recognized folk tradition, while integrating the region’s rich fishing heritage. By safeguarding intangible cultural assets and enhancing international tourism, the center not only preserves tradition but also serves as a living archive of local stories. The museum actively collaborates with local schools on cultural education programs, offering guided training for festival docents and promoting traditional shipbuilding craftsmanship. These initiatives further connect heritage preservation with regional industry development, ensuring that the legacy of the King Boat Festival continues for future generations.

Basic Information

Location

Donggang Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan

Area

3,042.32㎡

Year

2024

Client

Pingtung County Government

Usage

Museum / Exhibition

Construction

Meng Hui Construction Co., Ltd.

Structure

Chaowei Engineering Consultants Co., Ltd.

Design Team

Architect

Chao Chien-Ming

  • Designer

    Huang Chao-Chi

  • Designer

    Huang Chao-Chi

  • Designer

    Hsu Chu-Yang

  • Designer

    Shih Chen-Yuan

Award

  • 2025MUSE Design Awards Gold Winner

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