
Tse Ying Chun 3rd Architect of Building Studio
Nguyen Ching-Yue Architect, Curator, Writer
Wen Shin Art Center (No. 6, Lane 10, Lane 180, Section 6, Section 6, Minquan East Road, Neihu District, Taipei City)
3/06 AESTHETICS: FROM “SHENZHIZIDI” TO “LIKE THIS KIND OF ASTHMA AND IMASHIROGAKI”
3/13 Civilian Architecture: From “People's Buildings” to “People's Cities”
3/20 Yes/None: From “Mutually Entity” to “Participatory Architecture”
◆ 3/27 Imagining Future Civilizations: Tribal, Community, Sustainability
Topic Sharing: 45 minutes
Conversation: 45 minutes
QA: 30 minutes.
One lecture is $500, four-course package is $1800. 20% discount for students with student ID card (valid student ID must be presented for admission)
This event can be purchased at the bookshop with an invoice and a discount on the day book store is 150 yuan
After the Great 921 earthquake, Xie Yingchun and the Shao tribe rebuilt their homes. Xie Yingchun not only led fundraising and construction, but also persisted in this mechanized world. He still uses low-tech methods to respect the weak workforce, regardless of men and women. He believes that all individuals and families can help each other. Build your own home.
Using his experience in building construction in this earthquake, Xie actively entered the impoverished countryside of China, helping farmers in need of housing to build their own homes. After the 2008 Wengchuan earthquake, the mountains of Mao County, which are mostly Tibetan, Qiang, and other ethnic minorities, carried out the reconstruction of more than 50 Yangliu villages. After the Wengchuan earthquake in 2008, the Qian people participated in the construction of more than 50 people. Build and restore or perpetuate original beliefs, rituals, and the autonomy of the inhabitants as a primary goal of architecture.
The most fundamental difference between Hsieh Ying Chun and other architects is that while using industrialized building methods, they avoid reliance on high technology and special materials, stick to a simple process of materials and construction, and try to obtain natural ecological materials from the vicinity, such as stone, bamboo, etc., in a simple, low-tech way. A smart, cheap, and mutually supportive way to encourage people to cover their homes. In addition, allowing users to participate in covered houses not only saves construction costs, but also enables vulnerable people to build self-esteem and confidence by participating in the construction, but also critiques and solutions to the current phenomenon of overly capital- and technology-driven construction through this practical building system.
When star architects are now considered the meaning of architects, Xie Ying-chun's appearance and work not only made people rethink the social significance of architecture, but even wonder if architecture can save the world.
When we expand the scale of architectural history, we find that for tens of thousands of years, humans have mostly lived in tribal forms. Tribes can be considered the cradle of human civilization, yet we have forgotten their core spirit in our adherence to modern value systems. Hsieh mentions that the meeting spaces in traditional settlements are often small and crowded, embodying "compromise." In such constrained spaces, no one can leave without listening to others' opinions. The true core of democracy should also be "the majority respecting the minority," contrary to the ego-centric views prevalent in modern society.
Moreover, cherishing resources is a common merit in indigenous tribes. For example, the Thao people have a tradition in their trapping ritual(Muribus) of dismantling traps to prevent animals from accidentally being trapped and killed outside the hunting season. Hsieh further points out that to address the challenges of human living, architecture must consider what kind of civilization is sustainable. "Sustainable architecture" is more than just green buildings; it involves technology, social structures, and lifestyles.
In four salons and a documentary screening, we gradually understand the path Ying-Chun Hsieh has paved with "techniques.". It mixes idealistic beliefs with countless practical experiences, and the harsh realities of society. Sometimes confusing, sometimes inspiring, but above all, it offers a glimmer of hope for humanity. If architecture can change society, might it have the chance to save the world?