The island cafe

1. History of the island café:

A. Prosperous “alleys” in Taipei
In 1895, Taiwan entered the Japanese colonial period. The Japanese government made plans for city development of Taipei. Within the plan, they designated an area for Japanese people to live in. This area was surrounded by today’s Zhongshan north road, Nanjing east road and Citizen boulevard, where existed ten alleys of east-west direction. These were the most prosperous alleys in Taipei.

B. The building of island café:
This alley, where the island café locates, used to be called “second alley” during Japanese colonial period. The building was built in 1925 and owned by a famous Japanese photographer for his residence.

C. Dormitory of Police:
After 1945, the building was retrieved by government and had been used for the dormitory of police for a long time.

2. Architectural structures:

Later, this building was bought by an architect Mr. Yong-Nan Zhong and his friends. They hope to preserve the architectural style of this building and recreate the atmosphere of Japanese colonial period for younger generations to appreciate.

The renovation of historical buildings has many difficulties to overcome.
This two-story building was built with traditional Japanese wooden structure, with traditional Japanese wooden frames, elevated wooden floor, mortar made walls with bamboo support. Before the renovation, the appearance of this building has already lost its traditional Japanese style. Many wooden walls and structures were already rotten and not able to use anymore. Termites have also seriously damaged the wooden structures of this building.

Renovation points are preserving and enhancing the style of traditional Japanese residence. They restore the original appearance of wooden weatherboard cladding, lattice windows and flower shelves. By tearing down unwanted interior decorations, it reveals the beautiful wooden structures of the original design and brings out the historical sensation of the wooden building.

For the renaissance of the historical building, they use the first floor to open a coffee shop, and second floor for office. It gives a new life to this beautiful building.

Reference source: official website of the island café