Sinsing District Formosa Boulevard Metro Station
The Formosa Boulevard Metro Station sits at the Zhongshan Rd. and Zhongzheng Rd. intersection, marking the location where the Kaohsiung Incident once took place. Japanese architect Takamatsu Shin designed four glass curtain entrances based on the concept of “prayer,” with the triangular shapes of the station reminding people of Japanese gassho-zukuri. The metro station looks like an inverted bow gradually raised towards the intersection, with a reflection pool in place for visual enhancement. To prevent power lines from obstructing the glass curtains’ clear views, spotlights were installed for an upward projection of light. Steel plate-made mirrors hanging from the top reflect the projected light beams back to illuminate the floor.
Coming down a long escalator, the space suddenly opens up again. The Dome of Light, designed by Italian artist Narcissus Quagliata and built by Germany company Derix Glass Studio, rivals glass paintings found in continental European churches and creates a majestic ambiance.
新興／高雄捷運美麗島車站
高雄捷運美麗島站位於中山路與中正路交叉口，亦為美麗島事件的發生地。日本建築師高松伸以「祈禱」為名設計四座玻璃帷幕出入口，三角造型讓人聯想到日本合掌造民居建築，平面則像是倒船首的弧形，往路口逐漸收攏高起，並以倒影池強化紀念性。為了不讓電力管線妨礙玻璃帷幕的純粹性，投射燈安裝在地面往上照射，吊掛於頂部的鏡面鋼板反射光線回地面，並同時照亮整座帷幕建築。周邊設施如通風塔、無障礙電梯則以圓形格柵來融入這四座紀念性極強的入口建築，通風塔也壓低至近乎一米，從這些特殊設計可以讀出日本建築師的獨特匠心。
經過長長的電扶梯往下，空間感再次豁然開朗，眼前的光之穹頂由義大利藝術家水仙大師，並委由德國百年Derix玻璃工作坊製作，媲美歐陸教堂的玻璃彩繪工藝，讓美麗島站更增添了崇高的氣質。
文／陳家宇
圖／高雄市政府文化局