Project Overview

This project is a traditional stone slate house located in Sandi Men Township, Pingtung County, with a history of 80 years. To inherit and preserve the indigenous tribe culture, three phases of renovation have been carried out in the recent three years. The renovation focuses on both outdoor and indoor, which include the structural reinforcement of beams and columns; repair of roof tiles, restoration of parterres, repair of wood carvings and paintings on doors, restoration of slate benches, and the reconstruction of stone pillars that symbolize the spirit of the tribe. After a series of renovations, the design team not only gave this family slate house a brand-new look but also carried on the important mission of cultural education, inheriting the Paiwan traditional culture.

Organisation

Pingtung County Government, Pan Men-an

Team

Pingtung County Government, Sandimen Pakedavai Culture ans Arts Association, Shu-Te University

Project Brief

The design team placed a 16-meter long stone bench outdoor as a place for family members to gather. In addition, the Paiwan stone pillars were rebuilt to represent the spirit of the mamazangilan (meaning leader) and the wisdom of the ancestors through the distinctive totems such as the Chinese moccasin and so on. In the past, some people took care of their children and grandchildren, while others went out hunting and shared the prey they got. The design team hopes to awaken the traditional culture and history of Paiwan through the renovation project. The family house has been passed down to the 13th generation, Mrs. Bao-Jinlian is the owner of the house currently. Since Mrs. Bao and her sisters are the elders of the tribe with extensive experience in traditional Paiwan songs, culture, history, and gardening, they are highly respected by the clansmen. In addition to the clansmen, they have also contributed to the transmission of tribal culture through storytelling and experience sharing to the public. After the renovation project was completed, Ms. Bao expressed that the new family house allowed herself and her family to reminisce about the good old days, also provided the younger generation a chance to understand the traditional life and culture of Paiwan.

Project Innovation/Need

As its name, a slate house is made of stacked stone slates. Its unique traditional stacking technique not only allows the house to be ventilated but keeps warm in winter and cool in summer. However, due to the wear and tear of time, inevitably problems have been surfaced such as broken slabs and erosion by wood termites, resulting in water leakage and poor lighting. To solve these critical issues, the design team carried out a renovation plan. For the roofing slates, the design team invited an experienced craftsman and selected new durable slab materials to re-lay and by using larger slates to create a waterproof effect to reduce the superimposed surface. In addition to the exterior restoration, the design team also replaced most of the existing beams and columns that connect to the interior to reinforce the structure. At the same time, four skylights on the roof were added by the design team, which solves the problem of insufficient lighting, meets the concepts of energy-saving and carbon reduction, making the integrations of interior and exterior landscape are well connected with the outdoor resting areas. The design team integrated more than 330 square meters of land and expanded the usable functional areas of the house to create a traditional, eco-friendly, and smooth traffic flow.

Design Challenge

The design team insists that every repair and renovation had to follow the traditional workmanship and techniques, and modern materials were prohibited to use in this project. The goal of the design team is to preserve the old house while giving it a new look. The team recruited an experienced craftsman for the in-depth study about the stacking technique, and after numerous experiments and tests, the team finally resolved the water leakage problem that the young craftsmen could not be tackled before. As for the replacement of the beams and columns, the design team had to replace the termite-damaged structural columns and beams without compromising the support of the original wood, which was technically challenging. Last but not least, the design team installed four skylights on the roof, which is a revolutionary innovation. This ingenious idea allows residents in the house to enjoy natural lighting and save energy during the day.

Sustainability

Traditional slate houses have zigzagged timbers on the outside of the house to hold the house in place. The timbers can be used as a support for the house and a ladder so the technician can climb up when the roof needs to be repaired, which is an impressive ingenuity. The design team made use of natural materials and traditional techniques to create a ventilated and airy slate house. To enhance the convenience and comfort of the slate house and to reduce electricity consumption, the design team installed four skylight panels on the northwest side of the roof to bring in sunlight. With the renovation, the house can have empty lighting during the day, and warmth and ventilation at night, which not only makes the interior space more comfortable but also saves energy and help to protect the environment. The sustainability of this 80-year-old slate house will allow it to be better passed on to future generations. This traditional building is a tangible representation of the long-standing Paiwan culture and history, and it can become an excellent cultural and educational site to both the Paiwan people and the public.