The new South Gate Market pronounced ‘Nanmen Market’ in Mandarin, is situated on the busy Roosevelt Road. Being referred to as the ‘the Heart of Taipei’ by Taiwan media, it integrates a big MRT interchange station at the B2 level, seamlessly connecting with many Taipei citizens’ daily commutes. Nested in the center of a crowded old town, part of the design challenge was to constrain the massing within site boundaries while weaving it into the existing urban tapestry. This led to the adoption of a solid, imposing massing strategy, complemented by a facade that alternates between dark sienna and glass, creating a dialogue between the building and its historic surroundings.