IMO建築暨設計事務所建築師暨共同創辦人、TED X TunghaiU創辦人

伊萊恩

The housing design is an angular axis of architecture that allows to observe the degree of development of a society. In the twentieth century Taiwan played the role of manufacturer of products designed abroad where the important thing was to be fast, cheap and useful and the architecture was designed according to these parameters. But after the departure of many factories abroad, Taiwan is now in a very different situation. Taiwanese society has progressed considerably and architects are helping Taiwan transition from the OEM mentality of doing architecture to the 21st century of doing architecture where the experience of the user is more and more important.

In TRAA 2018 is worth highlighting the proposals that have gone beyond the “rock and roll” or "here I am, look at me" and have taken into account the environment in which they are settled, because when a work of architecture before defining itself looks at its surroundings, it’s creating city and therefore contributing to society. It’s worth noting as well the works that have expressed values such as subtlety, simplicity and elegance, sometimes, using traditional resources such as the light, the sun, the trees, the nature, the material; at other times, with concepts such as transparency, cleanliness, or interaction. The works that behind this simplicity have been able to provide the user with multiple nuances are remarkable.

On the other hand, to contribute to the development of the Taiwanese architecture in S. XXI it is important to evaluate architectural proposals where resources are scarce. It would therefore be good news for future editions of the TRAA to have a greater presence of public projects and to document interesting design strategies with limited resources. This would positively contribute to raising the quality standard of public housing and would serve as a platform to recognize the architects who decide to work for the good of many. It is the architecture as a whole and not only that of the privileged that shows the architectural level of a country.

Finally, it is very positive that, despite the situation of the profession, a large amount of architects are doing their best to contribute to society with their architecture. They should be praised, and together, all the community that through multiple channels is working hard to move Taiwan forward. Perseverance will pay off.