I. Enlightenment

Bauhaus, founded by Walter Gropius in 1919, influenced the course of modern architecture. The German words Bau (architecture) and Haus (construction), mainly teach and develop design education, focusing on architectural modeling and practical functionality all in one.

In addition to architecture, Bauhaus has had far-reaching influences on the development of art, industrial design, graphic design, interior design, and even modern drama, art, as well as the contemporary design industry and education.

Modernist architecture changes with the development of the times, emphasizing that architects should study and solve the practical functional requirements and economic problems of buildings.

Modernism advocates the use of new materials and new structures to promote innovation in architectural technology, applying and developing the characteristics of new materials and new structures in architectural design; breaking free from historically outdated architectural traditions, creating new architectural art styles, and developing architectural aesthetics. The geometric shapes achieve an aesthetic feeling without being decorative, and the structure is simple and can be continuously replicated.

Modernist homes and furniture design also generally emphasize simplicity, sleekness, and open-space interiors while reducing clutter (the Absence of Clutter).

Overall, most previous conventions have surrendered to more casual decoration, retro, and dramatic sense of space. Contemporary mainstream architecture still retains many aspects of modernist design.

II. Aspects of Basic Development

1. Learning and Attitude

I have been teaching design (including architectural, interior, and industrial design) at universities on both sides of the Taiwan Strait for more than 15 years, and have also judged cross-strait-related student designs and design competitions of the new generation. Take Taiwan for example. The original complete and solid basic skills training methodology, and a self-contained technical system has been diluted with the establishment of the “open university,” and is now no different from ordinary universities. Due to the ambiguity of the division of labor and the role it should play in society, its structure has become that of an ordinary university, leading to uncertainty in the direction of the development of architectural education courses.

The original support design courses have been reduced or have become electives, such as laws and regulations, structural construction, structural science, etc. Students lack basic relevant concepts, and upon entering the workplace, they are typically unable to meet the learning and execution standards, resulting in the inability to adapt to and the changing of jobs.

2. Vision and Opportunity

Faced with the changing of the times, we must respond accordingly, such as through policy changes, international and cross-strait competitions, and exchanges. Students are in frequent contact with the cross-strait market and globalization, we should have the readiness and courage to adjust the course content. But the core and the positioning must be clear – in other words, what are each of the characteristics?

In addition, in response to a diversified educational program and the aptitude and characteristics of recruited students, this policy still needs to review how to reform the existing system, and be discussed from several directions:

a. Hand drafting and hands-on work: foundational courses must be strengthened, especially basic design curriculum arrangement and implementation training for novice levels, such as hand drafting and hands-on work.

b. Tools and off-campus learning: once their foundations are established, intermediate level students can strengthen their training through computer-assisted courses and off-campus internships.

c. Apply widely and localize topics: seniors and the graduating classes are qualified. In addition to hands-on work and using tools to cultivate initiative, designing topics and cooperating with the industry will allow for full exchanges between industry and academia, and for students to clearly invest in the future and prepare for the workplace.

d. International outlook and sense of teamwork: cross-border cooperation has become a global trend, especially in the face of market demand. Cultivating students’ teamwork mindset and international outlook is important current topics.

 
III. A Competition and an Exchange

In recent years, international trends have entered a new phase, especially with the assistance of digital technology. Large-scale projects, and super high-rise buildings have achieved tasks that were impossible in earlier times.

In response to the rapid impact of globalization, regional issues have repeatedly gained attention. In 2017, I participated in and won an award for the Cross-Strait Architectural Design Award, hosted by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects. Among the award-winning works, the jury found that Taiwanese architects’ concerns for the region and humanity are very deep-rooted and particularly resonant.

The World Architectural Festival is held annually without pause, but how to gain mutual exchange and learning opportunities from this competition, improve oneself, and increase team cooperation are areas that must be worked on.

IV. Social Responsibility After the Applause

The cruel reality in Taiwan is that, despite the tedious bureaucracies of public construction, with our rich experience in transnational cooperation, we are still only able to complete various public building works. However, most architects work in residential construction and the real estate market, including interior design and related businesses. Within ever-changing business environments, it is quite rare for architects to meet their client’s needs, adhere to their concepts and values, and contribute to the discourse on living.

Under cutthroat market competition, rigid laws and regulations, and liberal rules of evaluation, we can still see the profound design skills and aggressive attitudes of experienced, mid-career, and emerging architects.

I’ve had the opportunity to serve as a jury panelist for the Taiwan Residential Architecture Award, and I have a few thoughts to share, especially in terms of design proficiency and contribution:

1. The architects have their pulses on the real estate market, taking into account potential conflicts of interest and external sensitive environmental issues. There are a few works that have challenged or echoed the urban landscape, considered the harmony of old and new communities, and the constraints of building laws and regulations. Their breakthrough concepts led to a wide diversity in new housing concepts. 

2. In terms of regional features, many showed an integration of both environmental interior and exterior and between new and old. After all, people are at the core, therefore several of these works took into account the characteristics of the users, and injected a new definition of “home” with unique ideas. Apart from this, there was a precise grasp of details, and particular attention was paid to universal designs, which was commendable.

It’s not difficult to find that, in the works of architects and teams in Taiwan, the plight of their environment did not carry them away like the rushing waters of a flooded river. Rather, they created new waves. Among the visible works, there is an insight into humanities, society, and the environment. Taiwan’s future residential construction market can develop soundly, create good works, and participate in international competitions.

 
V. Diverse Cultures, Regional Reflections

From the late period of modernism to the early 20th century, the concept of the global village has shifted from the mainstream of the West to the style of the East. Surviving trend after trend, it has been highlighted in international competitions and has become a prominent discipline.

From the Renaissance after the 14th century, the religious revolution of the 16th century, the scientific revolution in the 17th century, and the industrial revolution throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, and through sustainable development after the 20th century, the global village has become the focus of a new future.

Global warming and climate change, oceanic countries or regions having to relocate their capitals, extreme cold or warm climates, and the global Covid-19 pandemic of recent years have all led to serious casualties. While scientists and the medical industry are researching and developing vaccines, architects also face similar problems related to scientific digital analysis. In the early phases of establishing negative pressure isolation wards, mobile unit hospitals, same-floor drainage and exhaust systems, what more can be done other than sitting by idly and watching? Recalling back to the times of our ancestors, there is an absolute relationship between adapting measures to local conditions, local areas, and, regional styles.

Regardless of the innovation of materials and technologies, there will always be clues as to how to present the importance of regional architecture in many international competitions. There’re also the extensive topics of localization and internationalization. No matter whether by integration or subjective consciousness, whether it’s the environment, ecology, or culture, there are new issues to voice, worthy of our attention and reflection.

Caption: 2021 A+Architizer Product Finalist Award-Share

Caption: 2019 - China Crystal Kylin Award - Hermitage Stone Teaset

Caption: 2018 Taipei Architecture Renovation Awards-Dihua Halfday

Caption: 2017 Cross-Strait Architectural Design Awards-Giwas Ali

Caption: 2017 China Crystal Kylin Award-Terraced Landscape Series_Stone Tea Tray

Caption: 2014 Golden Pin Design Award - Leshan Series

Caption: 2011 DFA Award (HKDC AWARD) Bronze Award-Jamei Chen