In Taipei, Taiwan, an area used since 1937 as the first modernized tobacco factory in the nation has long created tremendous economic value (if one doesn’t factor in the health costs). It was called the Taiwan Sōtokufu Tobacco Monopoly Bureau during the Japanese colonial times. The complex was later taken over and restored by the Taiwan Monopoly Bureau. They renamed it the Taiwanese Provincial Tobacco and Alcohol Monopoly Bureau Songshan Plant.
The concept of an “industrial village” was employed during the initial development of the Songshan Tobacco Factory, so—in addition to the production line—the needs of the plant’s employees were taken into consideration when designing the site. With its large open spaces and courtyards, the site was a pioneering approach to industrial plants at the time. Its architectural style belongs to the genre of Japanese Early Modernism, with emphasis placed on horizontal lines, simple classic shapes, and refined workmanship.
Taiwan Design Museum.
Photo credit: Chongkian via Wikipedia.
The factory ceased to produce cigarettes in 1998 for concern over urban planning, tobacco and liquor marketing regulatory changes and the decline in tobacco demand. In 2001, the Taipei City Government designated it as the No. 99 cultural heritage site of the city. Over a period of several years, it was repurposed, renewed, and reconnected (the “3Re Strategy“) to the city as a cultural park.
Upon completion, it was again renamed, this time as the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. On November 15, 2011, it officially opened to the public and has become a creative hub of Taiwan.
In 2012, the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park was positioned as the “Creative Hub of Taipei”, with the objective to nurture creative talents and energy. The Park is not designed with a commercial focus, but rather, its mission is to kindle creativity and innovation and to be in synch with the interdisciplinary developmental trend observed in today’s industries. The park has the following aims:
- Establish public platform and develop the cultural and creative industry;
- Cultivate culture and creativity and cross industry exchanges;
- Develop innovative experiments and set trends;
- Provide cultural and arts education and encourage public involvement; and
- Spotlight the cultural and creative industry and put Taiwan on the map.
As such, the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park is not just a platform for showcasing creativity and innovation.
The park’s restored, historic warehouses.
Photo credit: Pbdragonwang via Wikipedia.
With that mission in mind, the Park is assertively involved in the organization of various artistic, cultural, and creativity events, which also include presentations of design, visual, and cross-disciplinary events.
The activities take shape in diverse formats, including film shootings, press conferences, extended or short-term exhibitions, award ceremonies, symposiums, seminars, fashion shows, and much more. The cultural heritage site of the Park is used in multifaceted lively ways, and with its unique ambiance enhanced, the location has gradually been transformed into a new destination for cultural and creative industry endeavors in Taipei and also a new creative stage with an international focus.
The Songshan Cultural and Creative Park’s mission and duties involve continual efforts in facilitating exchanges between industries and to offer support for the development of aesthetic experiences, and also promotional and marketing endeavors, which are all aimed at creating the greatest benefits from the Park’s multiple functions.
The “Ecology Pond”. Photo credit:
Pbdragonwang via Wikipedia.
With the Park’s multi-functional spaces and its multifaceted operational approach, the intention is to transform the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park into an iconic indicator for everyday aestheticism and design cognition and for the location to truly become a comprehensive multifaceted creative center.
The park is a 6.6 hectare ecological area, and walking the entire park takes about 30-40 minutes.
Thanks to architect, town planner and REVITALIZATION reader Jaime J. Izurieta for bringing this story to our attention.
Featured image shows the Baroque Garden. Photo credit: Chongkian via Wikipedia.