Education on Classical Architecture and Architectural Practice in Taiwan

Abstract

Classical architectural elements in Taiwan were first used by the Japanese colonizers between 1895 and 1945, and they were regarded as symbols of westernization and advance. Under the policy of Emperor Meiji, a number of young Japanese architects were freely experimenting with this style in Taiwan. Education on architecture was open to Taiwanese from 1920s, and a few Taiwanese architects continued to practice the classical style after the World War II, in which Japanese lost and left Taiwan. Postwar design competitions among Taiwanese students show that the classical style was still taught, but this was rarely practiced after 1950s. The government of the Nationalist Party (Kuomintang, KMT) rarely promoted architectural style of western antiquity. This was related to the American aid to the government, which resulted in a preference to the American culture. It was also related to the poor economy of Taiwan. For this reason the policy of construction was mainly concerned with function, the more economical the better. In addition, architects influenced by the modernism of the USA and Europe took charge of most building projects in Taiwan, and this changed the trend of architectural style. In 1960s and in 1990s, a few architecture departments were established in universities. They played an important role in protecting cultural heritage and encouraged appreciation and preservation of the Neo-Classical monuments of the Japanese colonial period. Taiwan changed speedily between 1980s and 1990s in terms of economy and politics, becoming a society much more open to diverse values and cultures. European antiquities have attracted attention, and in recent years classical architectural elements have been again increasingly used in the decoration of newly constructed buildings, notably of luxurious residential apartments or buildings of high quality. They represent financial power and a fine cultural taste, and they suit the rich and the elite. The works often alter the original forms and proportions of classical elements, in order to adorn buildings of simple geometric forms with additions of complex decorations.