Renowned Japanese architect to work on makeover of 4 island airports

Taipei, Feb. 28 (CNA) As part of its plan to renovate four small airports on islands off Taiwan proper, the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) has invited renowned Japanese architect Norihiko Dan to join the architects commissioned to undertake the project and "turn ugly ducklings into swans."

The most important task during the planned renovations will be to integrate "local natural landscapes and cultural features" in the design. In this way, the airports on the Penghu Islands, Orchid Island and Green Island can be transformed into new tourist attractions and landmarks in their own right, according to information recently provided by the CAA to the press.

The agency has hired Taiwanese architect Hsu Tsung-hsi (許宗熙) and his firm to take charge of the planning and design with collaboration from Dan, the designer of Munetsugu Hall in Nagoya, Japan, and Sun Moon Lake Visitors' Center in central Taiwan.

The 65-year-old Japanese architect also took part in the redesign of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 1 a decade ago, breathing new life into the old airport built in 1979.

For the new project, Dan has already conducted on-site research at the four remote locations -- Qimei Airport and Wangan Airport in Penghu County, Lanyu Airport on Orchid Island, and Ludao Airport on Green Island. The goal is to transform them into "boutique airports" that showcase local geographic and cultural features, the CAA said.

All four terminals will be expanded and rejuvenated using coral reef stone and other locally unique construction materials, as well as endemic floral species, according to the CAA.

Construction work will start at the four terminals simultaneously in 2023 and is expected to be completed in 2025, the CAA said.