Taipei Weather Station designed by IMO Architecture + Design / JC Cheng & Associates, Architects & Partners
The Taipei Weather Station, completed in 2023 by the New Taipei City Government, is a striking example of how architecture and science can work together to serve both function and imagination. The 3,283 m² facility brings together two scientific departments, the Weather Bureau and the Instrument Calibration Bureau, within a design that encourages collaboration, resilience, and connection to nature.
At the center of the concept is a flowing roofline inspired by synoptic weather charts. This undulating form not only unites three separate buildings but also withstands Taiwan’s demanding climate of heavy rain, humidity, typhoons, and earthquakes. Reinforced concrete provides durability, while Corten steel fins animate the facades, moving gently with the wind to make invisible currents visible. These fins also reduce solar heat gain by more than half, significantly cutting cooling costs in Taiwan’s long summers.
The station is equipped with specialized spaces, including laboratories, observation rooms, and an underground wind tunnel for precise instrument calibration. Although the facility itself is not open to the public, a park to the north offers visitors a place to view the station, walk through shaded landscapes, and appreciate the role of meteorology in daily life.
Sustainability is woven into the project. Rainwater is collected for irrigation, natural ventilation is maximized through operable windows, and Corten steel ensures long-term resilience with minimal maintenance. Green roofs and permeable paving further reduce heat and manage stormwater, grounding the project in both environmental and community care.
What makes the Taipei Weather Station remarkable is how it transforms scientific observation into human experience. Fins sway with unseen breezes, rain draws patterns across surfaces, and light and shadow shift throughout the day. Routine tasks such as launching weather balloons become framed moments of wonder, reminding scientists of the natural forces they study.