HMC Architects’ Raymond Pan was among the five teams recently selected as finalists for the design of the Taiwan Tower Competition. The five finalists were chosen out of more than 100 submissions from 26 nations.  This is the third international competition Raymond’s studio has participated in within the last three years. In 2009, HMC Architects successfully won the international design competition for the award-winning First People’s Hospital in the Shunde District of Foshan, China, while teamed with the China-based Shunde Architectural Design Institute. In 2010, HMC Architects was shortlisted for the Kaohsiung Port and Cruise Terminal Competition.

To commemorate the centennial anniversary of the founding of Taiwan, R.O.C., the Taichung City government will erect “Taiwan Tower” as an important landmark in the new special municipality to symbolize the spirit of Taiwan. The tower will be more than 300 meters tall, making it one of the tallest structures in Asia.

The competition runs from May through November 2011, and the winner will be announced November 11, 2011 and awarded the commission. Other shortlisted firms are the team of CRAB Cook Robotham and Tai Architect and Associates; Soma ZT GmbH; Dorin Stefan; and Sou Fujimoto Architects. The construction budget for the project is approximately $225M and is scheduled for construction completion in 2016.