The study of restoring an eco-habitat of the traditional Paiwan tribe in Taiwan

Abstract

Paiwan is the third largest aboriginal tribe in Taiwan. The most particular, original habitat of Paiwan people is their housing system; all structures are constructed with numerous slats of stone and are built at the same altitude on mountains, merging with landscape. This type of vernacular architecture represents strongly, affordable resources and a kind of natural attitude that responds well with the environmental conditions. Using the local materials, applying the natural cooling and the landscape adaptation, and forming a self-sufficient community, the Paiwan habitat behaves as an eco-habitat and reflects the subtropical characteristic of Southern Taiwan. Unfortunately, most of the traditional Paiwan territories are decomposed or abandoned due to political reason as well as the changing society during vicissitudinary periods in Taiwan. The government has urged the people to recover or restore the surviving villages. This study's purpose is to discuss how to find an appropriate approach for restoring the Old Chi-Jia village, one of the most complete and intact traditional Paiwan villages in Taiwan. Different topics such as the investigation process, the architectural intervention and community conservation are discussed to establish an optimal strategy for restoring the Old Chi-Chia village.