Renovations

（Old Chiayi Prison local hearing）
（picture source：photo by this team）

• Minimal interference

　　In order to allow historical monuments to remain historical monuments for ever, any repair work must only use minimal interference. Our work is to preserve historical monuments rather than to re-create new historical monuments. Therefore, it is important to prevent the cross-interference of different periods of history. It is necessary to emphasize thefirst three treatment concepts, especially light repairs, and avoid new creations. The things that can be preserved should be preserved and reinforced, and undamaged portions should be maintained.

 

（Old Chiayi Prison local hearing）
（picture source：photo by this team）

Genuineness and primitiveness of historical monuments

　　Primitiveness and genuineness do not refer to the "original conditions," but rather to the "conditions last known." We seek to present the "sum total" of historical diversity. Even though it is impossible to see theoriginal conditions of the historicalmonument, we are happy to find the change that is better preserved. We also respect each of its changes that aid it under different contexts and different raw materials that are available.

• Preservation of original materials and preservation of original form

（Old Chiayi Prison local hearing）
（picture source：photo by this team）

　　In order to allow historical monuments to survive without being altered, material usage and architectural methods become important issues. In the process of renovation, the architects must deeply understand the method of construction and materials to be used. Even the different types of wood used for construction must be clearly distinguished. The wooden doors, windows, and walls are just wood to us, but the architects must have in-depth knowledge of their differences. Because some materials are difficult to acquire, if possible, there must be flexible considerations or changing the original materials and architectural methods.

Identifiability

（Concrete with straw mixed）
（picture source：Chen Wen-long Architectural Firm）

　 　In the process of repair work, it is difficult for some materials to be repaired after they have undergone the same processing; thus we also need to emphasize durability! Sometimes we must add some extra braces and wood, or even tiles on the roof, and must also consider and renovate the shortcomings that were not noticed by people in the past. If it is impossible to preserve the original materials, we have to follow the principle of identifiability, especially in terms of colors and patterns, these must be clearly different than the other places. If something cannot be repaired as the original, it is still important to remind everyone that those parts were added later, and it must be able to be seen right away.

• Reversibility

（Old Chiayi Prison local hearing）
（picture source：photo by this team)

　　In the process of repair, perhaps modern technological repair techniques have yet to mature, sometimes it is difficult to evaluate what the optimal repair method is. At this time, we need some emergency coping measures, and hope that the next generation of technology could have more precise repair methods. We must install some new items in some places, but these items must be reversible and removable to await the development of technology. These items must be easily removed without harming the historical monuments.

• Emphasize the importance of scientific preservation

　　With the development of technology, we must select correct methods to correctly utilize existing technologies and techniques to complete repairs that could not have been done before. The point is, even though technology is constantly advancing, have we really effectively utilized advantages that did not exist in the past? Correct usage of such protective technologies such as pesticides and surface applicants that do not harm the historical monument itself will be a significant issue.

（Concrete with straw mixed）
（picture source：Chen Wen-long Architectural Firm）

　　Various different views and principles for the purpose of preservation and renovation were introduced above. However, rules are ultimately only rules, whether they can be followed are another question. In the past, the Old Chiayi Prison had been repaired many times quite widely, but it has not really been improved. In some cases, due to the shortcomings in technology and attitudes, even more problems were created after renovation. In the past, when engineers repair cracks in the wooden beams, they even used a lot of superglue; when they repainted, they repainted over the metals in front of the doors. Such perfunctory and careless work made many people begin to directly face this issue, and they held hearings before starting work. These examples show what is wrong, but also form warnings for the future: repair of historical monuments require professional engineers, the rules and principles must be read and understood, and there must be suitable understanding of all conditions within the prison. Repair work could not be so carefree as in the past.