Mr. Cheng Wu’s book house is the best demonstration of his belief in practicing sustainable ecology, where the tree and house are embedded into each other. Now, let’s go have a close look at it!

Apart from planting trees, he also loves reading. Therefore, he has bought so many books that he and his family decided to build a book house in the camphor tree garden near the traditional three-section compound where Mr. Wu lives with his family.

The books in the book house are all place on the shelfs by Mr. Wu personally without the help of anyone else, whether it is literary books, poetry collections, botanical drawings or non-Party monthly magazines. The book house replaces the wall with bookcases and the staircase with slope. There are even many books beside the aisle, forming book walls with numerous collections inside.

The original concept was not to use any cement during construction of the book house, but due to miscommunications, some cements were still used in the final construction. Mr. Wu said that he was also often complained by his son for this, because cement is really not environmental friendly, and as environmental advocates we should set an example to promote environmental protection. Despite of the cement in the building, most bookcases are made of solid wood.

Books are placed even in the space under the aisle

Mr. Wu said that he used to be a strict teacher who loved his students, but he always kept a kind tone when introducing the book store, even when he talked about the cement or cutting down of trees which he hated most .

Source of photo: https://news.housefun.com.tw/jill/article/39276759296

The camphor tree, which he doesn’t want to move away, becomes one part of the house.

There is a black platform piano at the door, beside which there is a small space surrounded by a desk, with piles of materials and books on it. This is where he writes and reads every day.

Source of photo: https://news.housefun.com.tw/jill/article/39276759296

II. Differences between the book house and normal houses

During the visit, I learned the story behind Mr. Cheng Wu's planting trees. Although everyone was very nervous, he would not stop talking like that. What impressed us most was his book house. Although there was no air-conditioning in the bookstore, we did not sweat a drop, and it was very cool under the shade of the tree outside. Perhaps it was really the difference between the cement ground and the grassland.

The book store is with green scenes outside and is cool without air conditioning

A student who asked questions got a collection of Cheng Wu's poems. It was really exciting and touching to see him personally sign his names on the collection. This book is a very precious gift.

There is another interesting story about Mr. Cheng Wu: during an event held in Xizhou, two or three passengers lived in his library. The next day, the passengers said to him gratefully, "Abe, you've arranged the library so well." It turns out that the passengers thought his library was Xizhou Township library! From this we can know how well the book house is maintained by Mr. Cheng Wu. Whether it is the bookstore, the woods or the poems, Mr. Wu tries his best to do what he can. He is the glory of Xizhou Township!

After reading the detailed data about the tree house and through the interview process we have personally experienced, we got to know Mr. Cheng Wu's dedication to this tree house and the importance attached to environmental protection. Whether in the selection of building materials for the tree house or in the persistence of planting native seeds, he has never lost the passion he keeps since his young ages. He also lets us know that environmental protection is regardless of age, but the most important thing is to take action. Loving reading and tree planting, he is really a good example who deserves our learning!