Where Industry Meets Humanity: The Spiral Sanctuary of the Nautilus Bibliotheca

Shulin Chan｜Project Supervisor, Office of Responsibility and Sustainability

Winding along the Suhua Highway into Hoping, travelers have travelers have made TCC DAKA Park a familiar stop. In 2020, TCC opened its gates with the vision that “a factory should not be an isolated island, but a vital part of life itself.” This openness was never about vanity, but about keeping a promise—inviting the public to witness how a heavy industrial site can evolve into an eco-circular factory in harmony with the environment and the society.

Today, the promise has taken form as a unique spiral structure: TCC DAKA Renewable Resource Recycling Center (RRRC). The Nautilus Bibliotheca, nestled on the first floor, is where TCC invites every visitor into a deep conversation on "how to live better." Fusing industrial rationality with a human touch, it stands as a vibrant landmark of sustainability amidst nature.

 

 

The Spiral of Life: From Industrial Transparency to Humanistic Reflection

The public often imagines heavy industry as mysterious "black boxes" and polluting "smokestacks," but here, we see transparency in action. The RRRC uses high-temperature cement kilns to transform waste into alternative fuels, reducing coal and carbon emissions, all while sharing environmental data in real time. TCC has turned this facility—a solution to Hualien's waste challenge—into a clean, odor-free site for environmental education.

This design, merging industrial utility with human space, reflects a profound vision: not merely to solve environmental problems, but to inspire minds through knowledge and aesthetics. The spiral of the Nautilus leads us to reflect: Might our civilization, like the paleo creature, find its own rhythm of harmony with the planet?

 

 

 

The Warmth of Cement: 

Letting Ancient Wisdom Speak to Modern Life

 

Inside the Nautilus Bibliotheca, cement sheds its cold, hard image. The collection here covers a vast span of time, ranging from ancient nautilus fossils to The Art of War, the pinnacle of Eastern strategy.

 

Truly stunning are the cement replicas of the Rosetta Stone, the Code of Hammurabi, and the Babylonian Map of the World. These historical treasures, recreated with exquisite craftsmanship, are now within reach. They show the infinite versatility of the very material that builds our modern world.

 

These reproductions allow culture, philosophy, and aesthetics to bridge the gap of time. They demonstrate that cement—the foundation of modern civilization—shapes our lives beyond our imagination.

 

Redefining Perceptions: A Journey of Sustainable Discovery

 

Since the Nautilus Bibliotheca opened for reservations this October, visitors agree that the architecture and design have completely redefined their perception of a waste treatment facility. The environment is pristine, perfectly blending knowledge with scenery, making the building a sustainable site for both exploration and environmental education.

 

The journey starts at the first-floor Nautilus Bibliotheca. On the seventh floor, the Fantasy & Wonder of Cement shows TCC's sustainable transformation. Ascending to the ninth-floor Fern Garden, visitors discover nearly a hundred fern species. The tour concludes on the sixth floor at Quiet Horizon, where guests enjoy local meals with breathtaking views, pausing to savor this profound experience of regeneration.

 

 

In the Taroko language, "DAKA" means "lookout." Yet, this gaze extends beyond Hualien's mountains and sea; it represents a vision guiding the enterprise toward a sustainable future.

We extend a heartfelt invitation: Step inside this spiral sanctuary, and you will see more than just a transformed factory. You will find TCC harnessing knowledge, technology, and community strength to explore a path of sustainability in harmony with the natural world.

Explore the Highlights of Nautilus Bibliotheca

Official Website

AUTHOR

Shulin Chan｜Project Supervisor, Office of Responsibility and Sustainability

Passionate about running, hiking, swimming, and walking, I look forward to exploring more corners of the world on foot.