Embarking on an Intellectual Journey with the New Cayenne – 

                                                              Porsche Centre Hsinchu × Ar. Hsien Yu

“A car is the most personal of moving spaces,” reflects Hsien Yu, founder of Atelier SUPERB. Constantly commuting across cities for work, Yu often finds himself immersed in the solitude of his car—a unique, mobile extension of his workspace. Within the compact interior, he seamlessly conducts calls, prepares presentations, and contemplates new ideas. “Naturally, the needs of this space shift depending on whether I’m alone or traveling with family,” he notes. The car is not just a functional space but also a vessel of memory—rooted in childhood recollections of watching his father drive, and now, in his own experiences as a father steering his family through shared adventures.

In this special feature, WABISABI’s editorial team, together with emerging architect Hsien Yu, collaborated with Porsche Center Hsinchu to explore three distinct destinations in Hsinchu behind the wheel of the New Cayenne: Shangping River, Xiazhuting, and the Naruwan Cultural Settlement. The journey was as much an exploration of the region’s intellectual and cultural landscapes as it was an immersive experience of the New Cayenne’s refined performance and versatility. 

With four people in the car, including the Porsche team, the New Cayenne offered exceptional comfort from the very start. The front seats, equipped with 18-way electric adjustments, provided personalized support—not only moving forward, backward, up, and down—but also fine-tuning the lumbar embrace and thigh support to create an optimal driving environment. In the rear, ample legroom allowed passengers to stretch out with ease, making even a full day of travel relaxing and fatigue-free. The generous cargo space proved ideal for family outings, accommodating everything from personal gear to travel essentials. 

A panoramic sunroof stretching across the entire roofline flooded the cabin with natural light. It reminded Yu of his son’s familiar request to "open the sky window," a playful ritual that allows the whole family to enjoy the wide-open view together, whether cruising through the city or venturing into nature.

With everything set, the day’s journey through the intellectual and scenic layers of Hsinchu began.

➤ Shangping River: Nature’s Quiet Retreat

Just a 40-minute drive from Hsinchu’s Zhubei district, Shangping River offers a serene escape with its scenic mountain vistas and flowing waters. The area’s wide riverbed makes it an ideal camping destination.

Q: Is camping a form of relaxation for you?

A: It can be quite exhausting, actually (laughs). But we all need to switch gears and unwind, which is why I gravitate toward immersive natural environments. We recently went camping with family and friends at a site designed by an architect in Miaoli—it was visually harmonious, down to our choice of white tents that blended effortlessly into the surrounding forest.

Q: Have you ever tried wild camping?

A: Yes, once with friends in the mountains. After a 30-minute hike off the main road, carrying our own water, we reached an alpine meadow. No trees, thick fog at night, and bitter cold—but unforgettable. We sipped coffee by the lake and stargazed, a memory etched in time.

➤ Xiazhuting: Weaving the Past into the Present

Nestled on Nanda Road, Hsinchu, Xiazhuting is a pair of Japanese-era timber houses once used as police residences during the Showa period. Restored over three years under the “Old Tree House Project” initiated in 2018, the space now hosts exhibitions, talks, and markets, breathing new life into its storied walls.

Q: In restoring old buildings, should we preserve the past or adapt to new needs?

A: First, it depends on whether the building has official heritage status. If not, we lean toward creating a dialogue between old and new, allowing the structure to evolve for future use. Historic buildings reflect the construction practices and materials of their time, tied to now-vanished industries. If heritage status applies, preserving cultural value is paramount. Restoration opens opportunities to validate the uniqueness of a space, raising public awareness of its significance.

Q: How can restored buildings be meaningfully integrated into the city?

A: Often, the surrounding areas of old buildings are in decline, lacking cohesion with the broader urban fabric. Revitalizing such spaces requires not just restoration but thoughtful planning of adjacent land and business operations—making them part of a public system naturally draws people in. Governments are increasingly aware of this need for urban connectivity. These efforts are crucial, though their longevity often depends on political will. Preserving cultural value is the first step.

Globally, there are inspiring examples, like Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, where only the base of an old harbor warehouse was retained, topped with a new structure to meet modern demands. The substantial investment reflects its deep connection to the cityscape. In Taiwan, old buildings are still seen more as aesthetic artifacts rather than embedded cultural value—this must shift through education and strategic vision.

➤ Xiazhuting: Weaving the Past into the Present

Nestled on Nanda Road, Hsinchu, Xiazhuting is a pair of Japanese-era timber houses once used as police residences during the Showa period. Restored over three years under the “Old Tree House Project” initiated in 2018, the space now hosts exhibitions, talks, and markets, breathing new life into its storied walls.

Q: In restoring old buildings, should we preserve the past or adapt to new needs?

A: First, it depends on whether the building has official heritage status. If not, we lean toward creating a dialogue between old and new, allowing the structure to evolve for future use. Historic buildings reflect the construction practices and materials of their time, tied to now-vanished industries. If heritage status applies, preserving cultural value is paramount. Restoration opens opportunities to validate the uniqueness of a space, raising public awareness of its significance.

Q: How can restored buildings be meaningfully integrated into the city?

A: Often, the surrounding areas of old buildings are in decline, lacking cohesion with the broader urban fabric. Revitalizing such spaces requires not just restoration but thoughtful planning of adjacent land and business operations—making them part of a public system naturally draws people in. Governments are increasingly aware of this need for urban connectivity. These efforts are crucial, though their longevity often depends on political will. Preserving cultural value is the first step.

Globally, there are inspiring examples, like Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, where only the base of an old harbor warehouse was retained, topped with a new structure to meet modern demands. The substantial investment reflects its deep connection to the cityscape. In Taiwan, old buildings are still seen more as aesthetic artifacts rather than embedded cultural value—this must shift through education and strategic vision.

The final stop was Porsche Center Hsinchu, where the building’s signature streamlined aluminum fins create a striking exterior. Driving around the structure felt like a ceremonial lap. Inside, the ground floor features an intuitive layout, with display areas encircling a central lounge—a human-centered design inspired by Porsche’s German headquarters. The second floor offers additional rest areas where owners can observe vehicle maintenance or enjoy a leisurely meal. Yu appreciated the generous spacing, which allowed for a relaxed atmosphere, and the diverse visual treatments that made the space about more than just the cars—each area encouraged a deeper interaction between people and vehicles. Moving through the center, from ground-floor showrooms and lounges to the second-floor configuration rooms and maintenance viewing areas, visitors encounter a layered experience—each space offering a new perspective on automotive design and ownership.

Throughout the day, the journey spanned smooth urban roads and winding mountain paths. On the latter, Yu trusted the New Cayenne entirely—its superior handling delivered a smooth, controlled ride, free from excessive centrifugal force. For him, a great car must first and foremost offer performance that ensures family comfort and safety. He recalled childhood motion sickness in his father’s car, contrasting it with the New Cayenne’s stable chassis, which made the trip not only pleasant but relaxing. The spacious rear seats securely held a child seat, with room for all essentials needed for a family outing.

What stood out most was the adaptability of the New Cayenne. Switching between Normal, Sport, and Sport Plus modes, the suspension adjusted automatically—lowering for high-speed stability on expressways, raising on mountain roads to avoid undercarriage damage, with a focus on off-road capability. Events like the Porsche World Roadshow at Taichung’s Lihpao Land showcase this versatility, offering enthusiasts the chance to test the full range of Porsche’s lineup, from sports coupes to EVs, sedans, and SUVs. Steep terrain simulations demonstrated the Cayenne’s prowess, delivering performance and comfort in equal measure. Whether navigating city streets or exploring the great outdoors, the New Cayenne proves itself an exceptional companion.

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