Cultural value

     Historic interest represents the past. Specific analysis on the building is insufficient. It also shows social and cultural significance. Without historic traces, value of historic interest does not exist. Although Shi-yi Building of Lukang is not listed as historic interest, it is significantly important and unique. Through external image of Shi-yi Building, we analyze the history and the significance of the building.

I. Historical significance

1. Concrete evidence of city planning in Japanese Colonial Period

     During Japanese Colonial Period, for the concern of environmental hygiene, in 1934, city planning was implemented. The first part of shophouses on Wufu Street was compelled to be eliminated. In order to solve the problem of elevation, it replaced the traditional pattern by western-style archway. “The Roofed Street” was thus disappeared. New elevation reconstructed the landscape of the streets. With rapid change of urban landscape, some buildings were successively reconstructed. Elevation of Shi-yi Building was completely preserved as the one after city planning in Japanese Colonial Period. We can thus imagine the street view in the past. It is the specific evidence of city planning in Taiwan implemented by the Japanese government.

2. It reveals effect of “guild” in Lukang

     In the years of Jiaqing of Qing dynasty, business in Lukang was prosperous and eight guilds were successively founded to not only protect common benefits of business, but also participate in local religious activities, social welfare and cope with conflicts. Guilds reinforced trade in Lukang and significantly influenced local public security. Among eight guilds, Ri Mao Company of “Guild Quan” and Ching Chang Company of “Guild Sha” were the most famous ones. Shi-yi Building is the specific evidence of business activities of “guilds” in Lukang in Qing dynasty.

3. It presents space and style of general stores

     Shophouses are the residential-commercial blended space. They are mostly the buildings with narrow front and long interior space. Generally speaking, the first entrance serves as the stores. The owners live, worship ancestors or reserve the goods at the rear part or the second floor. It is the space which combines commercial activities and residence. Building pattern of Shi-yi Building is shophouse. At present, although the business trading is no longer vigorous as the past and the building materials are destroyed, the characteristics represent spatial pattern of general stores.

II. Architectural significance

1. Important architectural pattern in architectural history

     Shi-yi Building of Lukang is shophouse which combines commercial activity and residence. The space is narrow and it is regarded as critical building in architectural history.

2. Construction of Chong Lou shows defensive system of Lukang harbor

     In development history of Lukang, Lin Shuang-wen and Chao-chuen Tai successively attacked Lukang by the army; in Changhua, there were several large-scale Chang-Quan and Min-Kwangtung battles and bandits tended to cause the chaos at the same time. On Jinsheng Lane next to Shi-yi Building, there is a building similar to fort, called “Chong Lou”. On the top, there are three “Chong holes” which allow people to watch the activities on the streets. Two layers of doors are installed on the entrance of the first floor. Iron sheet is constructed on the wooden doors to enhance the security. It reveals the history of chaos in Lukang in the year.

3. Architectural styles of different periods

     Because of unique historic development, Lukang shows special landscape of streets. One the checkerboard street, it is western elevation after city planning in Japanese Colonial Period. The zigzagging lane behind is traditional Min-style shophouse elevation in Qing dynasty which shows the change of time.

( Source of text: Research on Shi-yi Building, historical building of Lukang )

( Pictures are made by the team members. )