The new National Taiwan University Linsen Hospital is located just across from Linsen South Road, in a highly accessible and culturally rich area. One of its most notable neighbors is the Donghe Temple and its historic bell tower. The site is also directly connected to a local youth center and surrounded by high-rise residential buildings, placing it at the intersection of tradition, community, and modern urban living.
Donghe Temple was established in 1993 as an urban sanctuary for the people of Taipei. Its iconic bell tower—officially named “Cao Dong Dong Taiwan Dabenshan Bei Yuan”—serves as the temple’s gateway. Built in 1908, the tower has been designated a heritage building and is celebrated as a significant example of “modern Japanese style” architecture. Remarkably, it was one of the earliest structures to use reinforced concrete to emulate the aesthetic of traditional timber construction.
In response to strict building regulations and the need for ample natural light, the design of the new hospital ensures a respectful distance from the Donghe Temple and its bell tower. This not only preserves quality open space but also protects the visual and cultural prominence of the historic site. The building features open balconies on the elevation facing the bell tower, providing unobstructed views of both the heritage site and the surrounding cityscape from above.
Drawing inspiration from the “modern Japanese style” of the neighboring historic structures, the new hospital applies contemporary structural techniques in a way that honors the past. This design approach symbolizes a bridge between history and innovation, showing how modern architecture can emerge from deep cultural roots while embracing the promise of the future.