Named the ‘Tainan Xinhua Fruit and Vegetable Market’, the MVRDV scheme transforms an often-prosaic aspect of the food industry into a public experience of food and nature. Located in a strategic position between the city and mountains, with ideal public transport links, the scheme sits at a convenient node for traders, buyers, and visitors.

The scheme comprises of a simple open structure, with high undulating ceilings that allow for natural ventilation and an undulating terraced green roof that steps down to ground level to offer public access. The dynamic terrace, housing different products from the area, takes on the appearance of rolling green hills, thus becoming a continuation of the landscape. On one side, a four-storey structure contains the market’s administrative offices, a restaurant and an exhibition centre for agricultural products. This simple building intersects with the main structure, thus offering secondary access to the landscaped roof.

The landscaped roof will be divided into terraces, each growing a different crop. Pineapples, rice, roses and tea will be separated onto levels determined by the plant’s climatic requirements. Sheltered spots, benches, and picnic tables will be incorporated into the roof, offering a balance between agricultural productivity, and recreation.

“Tainan, in my opinion, is one of those towns that is so beautiful to me because of its nature, agriculture fields, farms, sea and mountains. Tainan Market can become a building that symbolises this beauty as it complements both the landscape and its surrounding environment. It is completely functional and caters to the needs for auctioning, selling and buying goods, but its terraced roof with its collection of growing products will allow visitors to take in the landscape while escaping from bustle below.”

Winy Maas, co-founder of MVRDV

The design for the scheme was completed in collaboration with LLJ Architects, with completion expected in 2020.

Via ArchDaily | Images © MVRDV