TAYA Pristine Homeland Foundation + Cao Family Mansion【Appledaily report 】
2021/10/29
Cao Family Mansion a witness to the century-old glory of Guishan
TAYA Pristine Homeland Foundation funds restoration Bringing back the glory days
(Special Project) In this era of rapid economic development, the restoration movement for historical and cultural assets is quietly advancing. The public has a rising awareness of the preservation of historical buildings, and they are receptive to learning the stories of this land. From ancient times to the present, Taiwan has always been a cultural melting pot, where Western-style buildings represent a breathtaking crystallization of exquisite Western craftsmanship combined with the grand patterns of the East. Their maintenance is quite extensive and labor-intensive, however, and considerable attention and money are required to restore their appearances. TAYA Group, a leading brand of energy connection, originally set up TAYA Pristine Homeland Foundation with the intention of safeguarding sustainable and pristine homeland and it has consistently spared no effort in respect to corporate social responsibility. A story has emerged in recent years in the Guishan District of Taoyuan City, where the Group has assisted interior designer Chen Liang-Wei in the restoration of the Cao Family Mansion, so that this gorgeous and exquisite stately home can once again reopen its doors to the public.
Each roof beam and pillar stands as an interpreter of history
The Cao Family Mansion is nothing short of amazing
The Cao Family Mansion, which once dominated the skyline of Guishan, has borne the brunt of wind and rain for many years and has assumed different guises in each of those years. Time and space are stacked here with the rich annals of human history, imparting fascinating stories and even more wonderful architectural aesthetics that are beyond comparison. Looking upon it from Wanshou Road, although one corner is covered by foreign materials like cement and galvanized iron sheets, the magnificent Baroque architectural appearance nonetheless cannot be ignored. A top-notch hexagonal pavilion is erected on the outside of the center of the third floor, forming a striking and elegant semi-outdoor space. Exquisite carvings, cartouches, pillars, and other details are embossed with washed stones on the facade, creating a three-dimensional, vivid, and delightful effect. At the same time, it is also decorated with dazzling varieties of refined and elegant tiles. The structure at the rear of the building is even more amusing, as it assembles a mixture of a southern Fujian style brick house with English corridors and a touch of Japanese aesthetic, giving a glimpse of the architectural styles supported by the Cao family. Set aside an afternoon here to experience this time-honored sanctuary and you will surely have much to gain from it.
Cumbersome details of an old house's repair
Gathering the wisdom of the ancients Inheriting the charm of youth
In his maintenance team for the Cao Family Mansion designated "Taoyuan Return to Guishan Front," interior designer Chen Liang-Wei's primary job actually has nothing to do with to the restoration of historical sites. One aspect is to think about ways to preserve the ancient charm, and the other aspect involves innovation by getting rid of the old and bringing in the new. Therefore, designer Chen Liang-Wei always jokingly says that repairing the old house gives him a sense of "atonement.” Nonetheless, Liang-Wei, who can always deal with things easily, has a persistent and unshakable belief in Cao Family Mansion. He hopes that it can be repaired in the most original way while inheriting the style of this renowned and long-established mansion.
Talking about the entire journey of renovation, Liang-Wei can look back on a full store of memories and achievements. Thinking back to when the team first entered the grounds and began work, he recalled how the back garden was overgrown with weeds, the floor was waterlogged, the ground was covered with garbage, and there were traces of vandalism everywhere. Though its members were shocked by this scene of devastation, the team held on to its love of Guishan and Western-style buildings. By tidying up and decorating bit by bit, they gave the ancient house a chance to regian its former appearance and glory. Moreover, the owners of the Cao Family Mansion cooperated without the need for public intervention, thus enabling the team to protect the old house by using a community building approach to protect it and create something beautiful in their town.
Funding becomes the biggest key to restoration
TAYA Pristine Homeland Foundation steps up to achieve the core concept of safeguarding sustainability
In our interview with designer Chen Liang-Wei, we can see that maintaining historical sites is not an easy task. Problems such as discontinued building materials, frequent water leaks, and the hidden dangers of old pipelines must all be overcome. In addition to relying on the enthusiasm of the volunteer team, there are corporate sponsorships that have given a boost to the restoration process. TAYA Pristine Homeland Foundation launched the Green Inside Project campaign in 2007, and every year it adopts different themes to select units that are willing to work hard to protect our pristine homeland. At the same time, it is also hoped the selection process will encourage people and groups to create concrete actions that are environmentally friendly. Designer Chen Liang-Wei, a participant, is very grateful to the organizer and to the judges for their appreciation and for their willingness to provide steady funds for this project, thereby building the reliable backing needed for the preservation of literature and history.
Renowned mansion opens its gates once more The story goes on
Revitalization of space Historical sites return to everyday life
With every historical building entering the daily lives of city residents, perhaps most of them are unusable but they still need not be razed to the ground. On the contrary, perfect preservation, transformation, and usage can ensure that their splendor endures. The overall renovation of the Cao Family Mansion has reached such a stage, and the team has also transformed the overall site from a barren wasteland into a cultural base. This resonates fully with the original intention of the Green Inside Project activities of TAYA Pristine Homeland Foundation. Whether in the form of a workshop or a holiday lecture, this constitutes nothing else except the desire to gain more exposure for the mansion, and this new attitude has returned it to the public's attention. Why not choose a day to go to Guishan together to appreciate the extraordinary work of this generation of craftsmen and their ingenious craftsmanship.
Original source: https://tw.appledaily.com/life/20211029/JZENNWL265DSBL24PBCBTFOKDA/