A newly released collection of images from abandoned buildings in the Sanzhi district of New Taipei City, Taiwan, which is affectionately nicknamed Sanzhi Pod City, is simultaneously fascinating and depressing.
Sanzhi Pod City is a collection of pod-shaped buildings that were constructed starting in 1978 with an eye towards creating a vacation resort that would cater to American military officers seeking a break from their East Asia duty. Investment issues caused the project to fail and end production in 1980.
The images showcase a series of derelict and misbegotten buildings in the slow process of full-scale destitution. The shots evoke a feeling of melancholy and unrealized aspirations, but they are sufficiently gripping; the shots force the reader to deal with the idea of what could have been.
Demolition on the Sanzhi Pod City began in 2008.
Abanoned Pod Buildings
The Sanzhi Pod City Buildings Exude Sorrow
Trend Themes
1. Abandoned Pod-shaped Buildings - Exploring possible uses for abandoned pod-shaped buildings, such as repurposing them for eco-friendly housing or unique event spaces.
2. Investment Failure Tourism - Creating tourism opportunities around failed investment projects, such as guided tours or immersive experiences that showcase the history and story behind the project’s downfall.
3. Nostalgic Architecture Design - Integrating elements of abandoned or failed architectural designs into new projects, to tap into a sense of nostalgia for past visions of the future.
Industry Implications
1. Real Estate - Identifying opportunities to repurpose abandoned buildings and land into viable real estate investments, using creative design and business strategies.
2. Tourism - Creating unique tourism experiences that highlight the stories and failures behind abandoned or underutilized architectural projects.
3. Architecture and Design - Incorporating the history and aesthetic of failed or abandoned architectural designs into new projects, to create a sense of depth and meaning in contemporary spaces.