Chimera Architecture Salon | Session 1 | The Evolution of Postwar Taiwan Architecture

‍Event Content

Modern Life: Taiwan Architecture 1949-1983 explores the issues, events, and cultural factors that shaped the development of Taiwanese architecture from 1949 to 1983, revealing how Taiwan faced new transformations after World War II. From the KMT government’s relocation to Taiwan, through the period of American aid and the lifting of martial law, to the modern era, Taiwan’s lifestyle culture gradually emerged from the shadow of political ideologies and moved toward a modern, free era. This also opened a door to the imagination of “freedom.” While seeking and yearning for modernity, architecture became a window into the postwar cultural shifts in Taiwanese life. The physical presence of architecture also attests to the authenticity of cultural events, making it a tangible cultural form that interacts with these events.  

Each postwar developmental phase introduced “new elements” rather than overturning existing norms, instead seamlessly integrating with established factors. The inaugural salon lecture will offer a comprehensive discussion of the exhibition’s prologue. Chun-Ming Huang, Chairman of the Alliance for Architecture Modernity, is invited to explore the period of Japanese rule— an era underrepresented in the exhibition—from architectural and art historical perspectives. He will examine the architectural talent, techniques, construction methods, architectural understanding, and regulations of that time. This will bridge the pre-war and post-war eras, guiding attendees to understand the continuity of various architectural elements.