(I) Urban Design

In consideration of the urban design conceptions with respect to the special district plan for the Kaohsiung Main Station and the emphasized permeability of the station, a forward open space connecting to Jianguo Road and Jiuru Road is formed with the building masses on both the east and west sides. The north–south axis through the station is highlighted to provide an opportunity for rejoining the texture of the city. The design of the curved roof structure with an ultra-large span aims to create an ocean-based urban style and construct a landmark building for Kaohsiung City.

(II) Preservation of the Old Station

The front part of the Kaohsiung Main Station that has historic and artistic values with its Teikanshiki Style is retained to preserve the spatial memory and train station style of the city. This part was moved to the east side of the front station when the temporary R11 station was constructed and used as a vision hall. It will be moved back after the underground structure of the Kaohsiung Main Station is completely constructed to form a combination of the new and old stations. Then, the old station will become a visual focus of the new stations and the image of the visual corridor around Zhongshan Road and Boai Road will be enhanced to enrich the artificial scenery of Kaohsiung City.

(III) A design of Large Space for the Station

To be in line with the conceptions of the urban design, the space of the hall on the ground level is completely open downward to the concourse level in the second basement with the attempt to extend the green space and light from the front and rear squares to the inside of the station, eliminating the impression of enclosure and darkness that many underground stations make on the passengers. The new Kaohsiung Main Station will be a building with four basements and more stories on the ground level. The space will be planned with the Zhongbo Underground Passage on the U3 floor. The integration, application and planning of each station floor are described below:

1. 6th floor (G+6) and higher: Multi-purpose applications (subsequent project)
2. 1st floor (G+1) to 5th floor (G+5): Shopping malls (subsequent project)
3. Ground level: Entrance and hall
4. 1st basement (U1): Taiwan Railway hall and MRT entrance
5. 2nd basement (U2): Taiwan Railway platform and MRT concourse level
6. 3rd basement (U3): Taiwan Railway and MRT transfer level
7. 4th basement (U4): MRT R11 platform