SHAO-CHUN HSU

Liquid Reverie is an architectural exploration inspired by Hermann Hesse’s Siddhartha, translating the novel’s profound themes into spatial experiences. The project envisions a relay station in a desert, embodying the encounters and transformations of the protagonist through architecture.

The structure centres around three water wells, symbolising life, renewal, and the cyclical nature of existence in Eastern philosophy. From each well, pathways extend outward, creating a network of resting units where travellers can pause and reflect. These units, like chapters in a book, offer unique spaces that encourage interaction and introspection, echoing the encounters Siddhartha experiences in his journey. The station’s design subtly incorporates elements from Taoist philosophy and the novel’s key scenes, especially the pivotal moment by the river in Chapter 10. Here, the river—a metaphor for life’s continuous flow—serves as both a barrier and a bridge, connecting the past and future of those who cross it. Similarly, the relay station becomes a convergence point where travellers’ paths intersect, their stories unfolding naturally within the space.