Target – Monumental Public Sculpture at the National Biotechnology Research Park, Taipei, Taiwan

Contemporary Public Art by Juanjo Novella – Monumental Steel Sculpture for Institutional and Urban Spaces

National Biotechnology Research Park – Sinica Academy, Taipei, Taiwan

Academia Sinica is one of the world’s leading biotechnology parks, located in Taipei, Taiwan.
These two sculptures are located at the park’s main entrance. They work in harmony—one, slender, reaching for the sky; the other, as tall as a human being.

Both pieces reflect the nature of the park: health and science. However, they can also be experienced individually as independent artworks.

Space Interaction – Sense of Place
Interaction with the environment and the surrounding space has been crucial to this project. On the one hand, the challenge was to create two emblematic monumental sculptures with a theme directly related to the institution’s nature; on the other, it was essential to honor the significance of the location.

Two visibly powerful landmarks were created, projecting prestige and imbuing the main entrance with nobility. The park’s natural surroundings host endemic species, so the lighting system was designed with a very low beam to protect wildlife.

In this setting, where nature and city meet, the proposal emphasizes both—enhancing the space and creating a unique identity.

Target – The ultimate goal of research: health

Named Target, this 12.5-meter-tall vertical sculpture stands as a striking landmark at the park’s entrance. Its form is slender yet monumental, projecting upward with elegance and strength. The skin of the sculpture is made from the word health cut into its surface in all the world’s languages—a powerful statement about universality and the shared human need for well-being.

Technical composition and materials

Crafted from painted steel for durability and a pristine visual impact, Target merges engineering precision with symbolic intent. The perforated lettering transforms the surface into a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, creating multiple changing visuals throughout the day.

Symbolism: universality, science, and aspiration

The use of every language on Earth speaks to the global mission of science: that health is a universal right. Its upward-reaching form embodies aspiration, discovery, and the pursuit of knowledge.

A landmark in public art for institutional spaces

As part of the Sinica ensemble, Target is an example of how large-format public sculptures can enhance a site’s identity and mission. It blends contemporary public art with architectural sensitivity, turning the main entrance into a space of prestige and meaning.

Commissioning monumental public art

Target demonstrates how custom steel sculptures for institutional and urban spaces can represent core values while creating a memorable visual identity. If you are considering how to hire a sculptor for a public art project, Juanjo Novella delivers works that combine symbolic strength, technical mastery, and a deep connection to place.