Inspired by the concrete tetrapods along the Taoyuan coastline, widely used for coastal protection across Taiwan, the project examines these forms as both functional and symbolic. The tetrapods embody a tension between protection and ecological impact and between resistance and care, forming the conceptual foundation of the work.

By translating a conventional infrastructure element into a handcrafted, site-responsive installation, the project shifts the concept of guardianship from control to coexistence. Through its material and making, the work reflects on the fragile balance between development and ecology, inviting the public to reconsider how we inhabit, protect, and relate to the environments we shape. As visitors enter the sculpture’s space, they symbolically become guardians of the coastal landscape.

The project also reflects on the human–land relationship and the gradual erosion of local knowledge. Weaving traditions rooted in maritime and agricultural practices becomes a metaphor for repairing relationships.

The sculpture reinterprets tetrapod geometry using locally sourced bamboo and traditional weaving techniques, transforming industrial mass into an organic, breathable structure. Its porous surface integrates wind, light, and shadow into the coastal landscape. Rather than opposing natural forces, the work aligns with them, embracing weathering and impermanence while emphasizing local craft knowledge within Taiwan’s cultural and ecological context.

Constructed from biodegradable bamboo and designed with structural lightness and permeability, the work responds sensitively to its coastal setting, ensuring environmental compatibility and responsible site integration. Through this approach, Guardian reflects on coexistence between nature and development while emphasizing environmental awareness, sustainability, local culture, and public engagement.