Curated by ArchiRev Editorial | Feature Story | Published June 3rd, 2026 | Source: MVRDV
Typologies: Pavilion, Temporary, Exhibition
Themes: Public, Sustainability
Status: Realised
Location: Chiayi, Taiwan
Year: 2025
Surface: 780 m²
Client: Chiayi City Government
Wooden Wonders Chiayi by MVRDV is a temporary pavilion and exhibition created to mark the 321st anniversary of one of Taiwan’s most historically significant timber cities. Positioned directly opposite Chiayi City Hall, the 780-square-metre structure encloses a central courtyard while drawing its architectural language directly from Chiayi’s timber heritage, translating local history into a contemporary public installation.
Exterior view of the Wooden Wonders pavilion opposite Chiayi City Hall © MVRDV
Chiayi’s identity is deeply rooted in timber. Thanks to its location near Taiwan’s forested mountains, the city sprang up around wood production, influencing all aspects from everyday items to public structures and buildings. Even though the forests are protected now and traditional crafts aren’t as popular, over 6,000 timber buildings still stand. These form an important but fragile part of Chiayi’s history, only recently getting proper documentation and restoration attention.
In Wooden Wonders Chiayi, MVRDV tackles this legacy, using timber not just as something from the past, but as a modern building material with plenty of future potential. Since Taiwan tends to favor concrete and steel for being quake-resistant, wood often gets sidelined as less sturdy. Yet, the pavilion shifts this view, showing that timber is both culturally significant and eco-friendly.
Architectural research drawings showing Chiayi timber typologies and façade characteristics © MVRDV
The design comes from looking closely at Chiayi’s wooden buildings. MVRDV spotted common things like chamfered corners, fun rooflines, pretty facades, and fancy tops. They used these parts to make the pavilion look similar.
Each corner of the pavilion is cut diagonally, just like Chiayi’s special angled-corner buildings. Around the outside, different rooflines pay tribute to woodsy places all over the city, both public spots and others.
Three entrances open up to a courtyard; inside, soft pastel colors mimic what you’d see in the original structures. So, the pavilion is its own new thing but also feels like a mini version of the town’s old buildings put together.
View through gateway into central courtyard of pavilion © MVRDV
The exhibition follows a path around the courtyard and splits into five parts. These sections showcase how timber played a role in Chiayi’s history and now looks ahead to its future. First up, visitors see the forest ecosystem, learning about growing and gathering wood via hands-on and material exhibits. The second part dives into Chiayi’s old craft world, stressing the craftsmanship and industries that set its timber culture apart back then.
Exhibition interior showing forestry and craftsmanship displays © MVRDV
The last parts look ahead to the future, setting Chiayi up as a possible “Wood Capital” for Taiwan. They show how nations like Norway and New Zealand maintain and adapt timber cultures in today’s buildings and cities. The main hall, a two-storey space on the northern side of the pavilion, shares these forward-thinking views. It invites visitors to dream up new scenarios for wood building and to pitch ideas for the city’s progress.
Two-storey main hall exploring future timber architecture in Chiayi © MVRDV
The pavilion doesn’t just show exhibits; it’s a meeting spot for locals too. During Chiayi’s birthday bash, the facades came alive with projection mapping, turning the courtyard into a stage for big evening events. So, the place doubled as an urban hangout spot after hours.
Evening projection mapping on pavilion façade during public event © MVRDV
MVRDV’s “Wooden Wonders Chiayi” is both an architectural piece and a cultural statement. It shows timber as a living material, not just history, connecting heritage, sustainability, and public spaces in one structure. This temporary build shows Chiayi’s changing identity and hints at its future in architecture.
