From Architect HSIEH and Atelier-3

Introduction

2004

The reconstruction after a major earthquake is a long and arduous process. One of the darkest sides of the capitalist commercial civilization is demonstrated by its shocking impact on the situation and livelihoods of economically-disadvantaged aboriginal communities who became the most vulnerable victims in the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake that hit Taiwan in 1999. The earthquake caused 2,500 persons dead and 90,000 houses damaged. The highly dependent, integrated and monopolized architectural and construction industry in Taiwan left these victims of the earthquake with no other options but to resort to the products and services offered by the industry. At the same time, what used to be a strong and vibrant community began to disintegrate as they lost their jobs. Many of them began to resort to alcohol abuse. They had little choice but to wait for commercial architectural companies to reconstruct their houses. A large number of aboriginal victims went bankrupt resulting from the destruction of their livelihoods and from excessive consumption induced by the low-interest loans provided by the government. The destruction of traditions followed. Because of the intervention of commercial interests, power structures within the communities were disrupted, which further marginalized the disadvantaged individuals. For example, the smallest aboriginal tribe, the Thao, is comprised of less than 300 people and had been suffering from land disputes in the past decades. The whole issue of their land rights was eliminated in the name of earthquake reconstruction. Reconstruction is a long-term effort and has a great impact on our living environment for generations to come. There can be no common future for all, if we carry it out without due consideration to cultural, ecological and environmental concerns.

The major concerns of "sustainable architecture" are socio-cultural, economic, and environmental. Atelier-3 (with Hsieh Architect and Associates) acts upon these concerns. They established a number of simplified and compatible construction methods which allow the rebuilding of the houses in a participative and cooperative process. At the same time, they introduced the concept of green building design together with a participatory process, to reflect the diversity of tribal cultures, strength then the tribal consciousness, to help create micro and local economic systems including semi-independent construction systems as well as cooperatives.

Their achievements to include 200 rebuilt houses and several community classrooms. They organized unemployed and disabled and marginalized community members to participate in reconstruction. They activated more than 10,000 volunteers. Among all, the resettlement of the Thao Community received the most attention internationally.