“Our goal is not to impose architecture, but to let it emerge from the natural conditions.” — Winy Maas, MVRDV
Sculpting the Shoreline
Jialeshui, at the southern tip of Taiwan, is a landscape of raw beauty: sandstone cliffs shaped over millennia by wind and waves, forming iconic figures like Rabbit Rock, Toad Rock, and Seal Rock. Despite its popularity, the site’s visitor infrastructure has remained minimal, with a single road threading forest and coastline, and pavilions damaged by typhoons and saltwater.
MVRDV, working with HWC Architects, envisioned Nature Rocks as a design that strengthens tourism without overwhelming nature. The masterplan transforms existing infrastructure into a fractured, rock-inspired pathway system that reconnects the forest and shoreline while evoking the layered geology of the coast.
Architecture That Emerges From Nature
Rather than imposing straight lines or monolithic buildings, the design fragments circulation paths into irregular “rocky” zones. Within these naturalistic fragments sit small-scale buildings—visitor centres, lookout points, and kiosks—that mirror the surrounding formations. The architecture blends with the landscape, creating spaces that feel like natural extensions rather than foreign intrusions.
“The artificial trail today separates forest from coastline. In our design, architectural elements take the shape of surrounding nature.”
Resilient, Regenerative Design
Stormwater management and ecological integration were central to the concept. Cracks in the pavement act as passive drainage channels, while creating pockets for vegetation and animal movement. Gradient planting transitions from tall, dense forest species inland to low-growing, salt-tolerant species near the sea. Concrete surfaces, chosen for durability, are designed to support moss and small plants over time, further blending architecture with its environment.
A Sculptural Welcome
At the park’s entrance, three sculptural “rocks” form a welcoming cluster:
- The largest houses a visitor centre, café, and shop, with a roof terrace for panoramic views and stargazing.
- A smaller building hosts exhibitions and educational programs.
- The third provides restrooms.
The entrance is surrounded by plateaus and plazas that double as flexible event spaces, creating a seamless transition from built form to natural landscape.
Enhancing the Visitor Journey
The existing road is reimagined as a shared path for pedestrians, cyclists, and shuttle buses, punctuated with stops at scenic viewpoints, waterfalls, and observation decks. Outdated structures are replaced with thoughtfully designed kiosks and viewing platforms, ensuring minimal disruption while maximizing engagement with the landscape.
“Nature Rocks” is a demonstration of how coastal areas can be upgraded in a way that is both visitor-friendly and environmentally respectful.
Design That Lets Nature Lead
By merging sculptural architecture, resilient systems, and ecological sensitivity, MVRDV’s Nature Rocks enhances Jialeshui’s identity as a leading geological park. The project demonstrates that infrastructure can celebrate, rather than dominate, the natural world—allowing the landscape itself to shape the visitor experience.
Project Name: Nature Rocks
Location: Manzhou Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan
Year: 2025
Client: Pingtung County Government
Size and Programme: 140 000 sqm, tourist centre, public spaces, kiosks, road design
Credits
Architect: MVRDV
Founding Partner in charge: Winy Maas
Director: Gideon Maasland
Head of Taiwan: Hui Hsin Liao
Design Team: Valentina Fantini, Samuel Tam, Vivian Yang
Copyright: MVRDV Winy Maas, Jacob van Rijs, Nathalie de Vries
Collaborators
Co-architect: HWC Architects
Structural engineer: Cross Structural Engineer & Associates
MEP: LiPeng Professional Electrical Engineer Firm
Surveyor: JengShing Surveying and Mapping Engineering Co., Ltd.
Environmental advisor: D.H. Engineering Consultants Ltd.
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