Light of Legacy, Rhythm of Silence

Witnessing the City's History Within the City

"JIANG JUN FU 1936" is a lighting revitalization project for a cluster of Japanese-era wooden dormitories in Hualien, Taiwan. Originally built in 1936, the historic settlement has been transformed into a shared nighttime cultural space for the contemporary public. The design centers on respecting the original rhythm and craftsmanship of the architecture, avoiding excessive lighting and instead adopting a layered lighting approach that supports diverse night-time uses.

The overall scheme uses warm 3000K lighting, with carefully placed illumination along eaves, timber frames, and surrounding vegetation. This highlights the texture of the wood and creates rich shadow layers. Most fixtures are concealed within roof edges or greenery to preserve visual purity. Along the pedestrian paths, lighting fixtures of varying heights and custom-designed post lamps referencing Japanese aesthetics provide guidance, enhance nighttime safety, and offer a sense of intimacy. Key garden trees are subtly up-lit to introduce vertical depth, while the entrance wall uses linear light strips to balance visibility with material refinement.

Rather than maximizing brightness, the design prioritizes layers of light to articulate spatial experience. Through calibrated gradation of intensity, different zones offer a balance between stillness and vibrancy. Lighting invites visitors to slow down and connect with the site—where history is honored by day, and poetic life unfolds by night.

The entire project follows principles of reversibility, low impact, and ease of maintenance. Lighting was closely coordinated with architectural and landscape interventions to ensure seamless integration with the historical context—creating a quiet yet vibrant “village of light” where heritage and contemporary life coexist.