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'Abode Architecture in Taiwan'

  • Publish Date:2020-01-17
'Abode Architecture in Taiwan'

Home is a private place.
It is also influenced by the nation's rules and the sway of the world order.

Home is the product of collective wisdom that generations gain by confronting their environment and enemies; it is also administrated and governed under modern legislation.

By looking at the course of Taiwan history, we can identify the ever-evolving "gene pool" embedded in residential architecture. Searching abode architecture not only offers a glimpse of urban landscape in Taiwan, but also a journey of cultural excavation.

Abode Architecture in Taiwan exhibition

This experience, which was drawn from various groups that migrated and settled down in Taiwan, forms what can be called as a "gene pool" of island abode architecture.

The indigenous peoples' building knowledge, the culture of the Han people who crossed the Taiwan Strait, western cultural elements introduced after the Qing dynasty's opening of trade ports, and Japanese-Western eclectic style — each of these is an important moment in the history of Taiwan abode architecture.

During the Japanese era, colonial leaders sought an effective and modern mode of governance. People became the target of measurement from the national government, and each home was regarded as a statistical module. The behavior and living of every household were governed by the laws and regulations of the state.

Abode Architecture in Taiwan exhibition

As World War II came to end in 1945, the Chinese Civil War just began. In 1949, a large-scale emigration of more than a million soldiers and civilians with the ROC Armed Forces retreated to Taiwan.

The soldiers and their families settled down and took initial refuge in the dormitories left by the Japanese authorities, including schools, government buildings, and even local temples. Then the Armed Forces Dependent Welfare implemented a centralized residence system to manage what became known as "military dependents' villages" — one of Taiwan's earliest public housing projects.

Abode Architecture in Taiwan exhibition

In 1950, at the beginning of the Korean War, Taiwan found itself becoming a strategic location for the US Pacific fleet. In 1951, the American government established its military aid policy for Taiwan. American culture began to permeate the Taiwanese climate, while the American lifestyle became the epitome of modernity and progress. In Wan Jen's film "The Taste of Apple," one can see ample evidence of aspirations for modern, American lifestyles in Taiwanese society.

In the 1980s, the economy was booming, social movements were in full swing, and the government was gradually becoming more open. However, like it is said, when the world around you is turbulent, it is essential to have a safe harbor in one's heart. As Taiwan entered the 1990s, there was much rethinking of Taiwan's position in nativist cultural movements of the era. Within this turmoil, Taiwan began thinking of the modern home as one more connected to its roots.

Abode Architecture in Taiwan exhibition

Home is a place where life can find protection. And what we pledge to protect. Family relations, social structure, laws and policies, cultural changes, world movements, local knowledge constructed our home. In Taiwanese society, the value of "home" is inestimable.


‘Abode Architecture in Taiwan’
Date: Jan. 17 - March 1, 2020
Venue: Huashan 1914 Creative Park M7B
Sitehttps://www.nmth.gov.tw/en/exhibition_64_420.html