Taiwan’s architecture video series “Empowered by Restoration/Renovation: The Taiwan Experience” and a podcast interview with Taiwanese architect Sheng-Yuan Huang will be showcased at the London Festival of Architecture from August 21 to September 20, as the festival goes digital this year in response to the global pandemic.
Huang Sheng-Yuan is invited to share his philosophy on the “Architecture Masters” podcast series, with Owen Wainhouse conducting the interview. Huang tells his story of deciding to settle down in the fields of Yilan in Northeastern Taiwan, far away from the country’s industrial landscapes and competition-orientated cities. He and his team choose the road less travelled: focusing on the small spaces neglected by large architecture firms but urgently needed by local communities. Speaking about the battle against COVID-19, Huang says Taiwan performs well, partially because the spirit of “caring for others” is highly emphasized on the island, with people automatically wearing masks to protect their fellow citizens. In addition, Taiwan’s preference for diversity, flexibility, and independence in architecture also proves to be an advantage in situations that require fast responses and social distance.
The video series focuses on Taiwan’s approaches to restoration and revitalization of historic public and community spaces. The first film introduces three projects recognized by ADA Awards for Emerging Architects. The port city of Kaohsiung’s “Cool Cool Seaside” transforms an old public space with local cultural elements such as traditional window grills and old shipping containers, whilst “3080S Local Style” reimagines a historic house as a communicative site of the local bridal wear industry that is deeply rooted in the community. In Taichung, architects give a ruined building that used to be family-owned factory new light and breath. The second film introduces Lin Yaping and He Daiwen, two female architects, the unique philosophy they use to restore historic buildings. Seeing each space as the culmination of many generations of use, they believe that “restoration” does not necessarily mean having the architecture fixed as it was at a certain timing, but more like an organic demonstration of complex historical layers.
The third film explores the transformation of Xinfu Market in Taipei, built in 1935 during the Japanese colonial period. The film follows architect Yu-Han Michael Lin’s difficult task of bringing new life to this site without compromising the original structure, as he transforms an area once made for commerce and trade into a public space for food and discussion.
The videos are produced by Taiwan Public Television Service Foundation and the JUT Foundation for Arts and Architecture. The events are supported by the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan (R.O.C.) and curated by the London Festival of Architecture.
For more information, please visit the London Festival of Architecture website (https://www.londonfestivalofarchitecture.org/).