The Red House

The octagonal building, whose bagua (eight trigrams) shape stands for people gathering from all directions, forms the entrance, and the cross-shaped building forms the main body. Together with the adjoining north and south plazas, they make up the Red House. The building has served as a market, a storytelling hall, a cinema and a theatre. In 2007 the Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs entrusted its management to the Taipei Culture Foundation, which runs it as a platform for the creative industries with the aim of reviving the Ximending area. The ground floor of the Octagon Building has exhibitions, food and shops, including the Red House Tea House and Red House Select, which sells Taiwanese-style goods. Upstairs is the Second Floor Theatre, a professional performance venue. The Cruciform Building houses the Riverside Live House and the 16 Workshop retail and display space, which support small creative businesses. The north and south plazas host cultural activities, including guided tours, creative talks and craft workshops, a creative market and occasional exhibitions in the central exhibition area.

Translated and shortened by DealTaipei from Taiwan's national tourism database. Sources are on the terms page.