TAIWAN
HSIU TSE-LAN
FU CHI-KUAN
JUEI-WAN HSIU
THE CHUNGSHAN BUILDING
architect
structural engineer
assistant engineer
electrical and plumbing engineer
C. CHIEN
RETIRED SERVICEMENS' ENGINEERING AGENCY
main contractor
DESCRIBED locally as a unique em-
blem of the renascence of Chinese culture, the Chungshan Building at Yangminshan, near Taipei, combines modern architectural tech- niques with exterior and interior ornamentation borrowed from ancient Chinese construction.
The title Chungshan, is the formal Chinese name of the late Dr. Sun Yet-sen, and the building was erected at a cost of NT$40 million to com- memorate the centennial birthday of the founder of the Chinese Republic. It was designed by Taiwan's well- known lady architect, Hsiu Tse-lan, in collaboration with her structural engineer husband, Fu Chi-kuan.
The style and mood of the building is unmistakably Chinese. Its pavilion like dome is reminiscent of the Heavenly Altar in Peking, where ancient emperors worshipped the god of heaven. The roofs are covered in the famous green vitreous tiles which, during the feudal dynasties of ancient China were allowed only on royal palaces.
The building, used as a guest house for distinguished overseas visitors and for formal Government meetings, is ideally situated in one of the most scenic areas of suburban Taipei. It is set into a low hillside with a backdrop of multi-coloured azalea.
Far East BUILDER, August 1968.
Detail of vignette design
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