Norihiko Dan also created a water basin in between the building and Sun Moon Lake, that reflects the greenery of the trees.

The building was the first prize winner of the NEW TAIWAN International Competition called the “Landform Series,” which challenged architects to design buildings integrating nature.

The visitor center, located amidst a lush forest hanging on the tip of Sun Moon Lake, includes the offices of the tourist board as well as a public information center for tourists. Like the foothills of a mountain, the building gently rises and slopes upwards from the surrounding area. Norihiko Dan wanted the building to be harmonious with its neighboring land forms rather than jutting out obtrusively, which would be offensive to the surrounding nature.