Miaoli County Shan-Jiao Elementary School｜Lin Craft Cottage — Living Heritage Learning Space

Shanjiao Elementary School, founded in 1912, has long been committed to preserving and revitalizing its remaining four paired Japanese-era dormitories, collectively known as the “Late Japanese Colonial Dormitory Cluster.” Among them, Building C-2 serves as a community venue for rush weaving workshops and exhibitions, where artisans from the Taiwan Rush Weaving Association volunteer to teach students the craft, making rush culture a defining feature of the school. As the school’s curriculum evolved, rush heritage and historical architecture were incorporated into flexible learning modules, guiding students through fieldwork, interviews, and hands-on weaving to understand the development of the rush-weaving industry and strengthen connections with the local community. The dormitory cluster is also an important cultural attraction in Yuanli, and the school hopes that improved circulation and display design will support shared use between teachers, students, and residents while allowing visitors to gain deeper insight into the history and cultural significance of rush weaving and local architecture.

Transforming a Historic Structure into a Learning Base for Cultural and Craft Heritage

The original layout of the Japanese dormitory featured fragmented rooms, significant floor height differences, multiple entrances, and dispersed circulation, creating challenges for management and integrated use. To address these issues, the design team reorganized circulation and integrated learning and exhibition spaces to align the historic structure with modern educational needs. The south side was designated as the primary entrance to unify movement, with new steel steps added to resolve elevation differences. On the north side, a movable ramp allows wheelchair access, creating a barrier-free environment. At the entryway, a reversible raised floor and hollow red-brick paving expand the usable interior area while resonating with the historical character of the original teak flooring.

The interior design continues the spatial logic of traditional Japanese dwellings through three key architectural elements—oshiire (closet), tokowaki (display shelf), and tokonoma (art alcove)—forming layered zones that balance everyday functionality with refined exhibition quality. One side features displays of rush-weaving tools and student works, highlighting the lineage of local craftsmanship and the transmission of traditional skills.

A mirrored back panel inside the closet enhances spatial depth and improves viewing perspectives, while curved lighting fixtures soften the rectilinear geometry, enabling dialogue between traditional Japanese architecture and contemporary design, and expressing a fusion of history and innovation. In the future, this cultural learning base will continue to promote rush-weaving education, allowing more people to appreciate the cultural value of Yuanli through hands-on learning and immersive experience.