Strolling through Taiwan’s urban and rural landscapes, we’ve become familiar with the diverse styles of old house spaces. However, these architectural landscapes, blending old and new, did not emerge overnight. They are the result of decades of evolving trends and the dedicated, long-term efforts of countless individuals. From the grassroots local cultural preservation movement of the 1970s and the community empowerment ethos of improving one’s own living environment, to the 21st-century focus on the relationship between public buildings and private properties, old house renewal has moved beyond its initial conflicts between cultural preservation and commercial development. We have now entered an era focused on the pursuit of sustainable operation.

The Future of One Hundred Eleven Thousand Old Houses.

“Old House Maturity” was born out of this evolving landscape. This book is more than just a record of our team’s years on the front lines of old house renewal; it is a tribute to and a dialogue with the movement itself. We have distilled countless hours of historical research, restoration work, and business planning into a practical guide that leads from micro-level insights to macro-level activation.

As a team of partners who genuinely love old houses and make our living from their renewal and sustainable operation, we wanted to create more than just a book about building aesthetics or heartwarming stories. “Old House Maturity” examines individual case studies to understand the entire industry ecosystem, exploring long-term strategies for the renewal of old houses.

This book is not only for those who appreciate old houses but also offers a comprehensive “total solution” for homeowners facing restoration challenges, operators seeking sustainable models, and professionals from diverse fields. This approach ensures that every old house can be thoughtfully settled and sustainably operated. It allows residents and travelers alike to connect with the memories of a place, find their own sense of belonging, and contemplate the future direction of our cities.

From the Page to the Field: The mature case studies in this book are meant to spark new ideas through real-world dialogue. In collaboration with our publisher, we have planned three book-sharing sessions in the North, Central, and South of Taiwan. These events will focus on the core themes of old house management, urban renewal, and the industry ecosystem, aiming to initiate in-depth, cross-disciplinary conversations.

New Book Launch Series Events

▌Taichung | Can I Operate an Old House Too? The Business Potential and Management of Old Houses

How to activate the original spirit of an old house
and transform it into a lasting brand legacy?
This session will focus on strategies for space operation,
exploring how to refine the unique character of an old house,
create a distinctive atmosphere within a historic space,
and develop a business model that stands out from the crowd.

□ Time｜Saturday, October 4, 2025・2:30 PM–3:30 PM (Doors open for registration at 2:00 PM)
□ Venue｜Taichung Thinker’s Bookstore
□ Address｜3F, No. 68, Minquan Road, Central District, Taichung City
□ Keynote Speaker｜Hsiao Ding-xiong, Co-author, X-Basic Team
□ Panelist｜Chu Yi-cheng, Standing Director, Taiwan Independent Bookstore Culture Association
□ Host｜Wu I-hsuan, Head of Jianzou Dazai Co-creation and the book’s Editor-in-Chief

▌Kaohsiung | Heartwarming Stories of Good Houses: Unveiling a Map of Classic Old House Case Studies

Old houses carry more than just private memories;
they are public cultural heritage assets that drive urban renewal.
This session will begin with case studies from Kaohsiung,
examining everything from scenes of daily life to the broader streetscape.
We will see how old houses can evoke local sentiment and collective memory,
and in turn, become a force for urban change.

□ Time｜Saturday, October 18, 2025・2:30 PM–4:30 PM (Doors open for registration at 2:00 PM)
□ Venue｜San-Yu-Tien Bookstore
□ Address｜No. 214, Zhongshan 2nd Rd., Xinxing Dist., Kaohsiung City
□ Keynote Speaker｜Su Wei-chia, Co-author, X-Basic Team
□ Panelist｜Li Kuang-jen, Expert Committee Member, ICOMOS International Scientific Committee on Historic Towns and Villages (CIVVIH)
□ Host｜Wu I-hsuan, Head of Jianzou Dazai Co-creation and the book’s Editor-in-Chief

▌Taipei | Activate First, Then Restore: Creating a “Guide to Old House Renewal”

Want to save an old house but don’t know where to begin?
This session will focus on the appendix of “Old House Maturity”, titled “A Starter’s Guide to Old House Renewal: Q&A”.
It provides practical, actionable plans.
We will take a deep dive into what it takes to succeed in old house renewal,
exploring the extensive “support system” required—
from funding and regulations to technology and talent—
and revealing how to harness collective power to build a sustainable industry ecosystem.

□ Time｜Saturday, November 1, 2025・2:00 PM–4:00 PM (Doors open for registration at 1:30 PM)
□ Venue｜Guo Yi Mei Bookstore
□ Address｜No. 129, Section 1, Dihua St., Datong Dist., Taipei City
□ Keynote Speaker｜Liao Shu-han, Manager, X-Basic Team Taipei Office
□ Panelist｜Hsieh Pei-fen, Chief Advisor, X-Basic Team
□ Host｜Wu I-hsuan, Head of Jianzou Dazai Co-creation and the book’s Editor-in-Chief

Anyone who pre-registers and checks in at the event with a copy of the new book (including on-site purchases) will receive an exclusive hospitality voucher for the Changyuan Hospital－Lukang Historic Image Museum. The voucher grants free admission to Changyuan Hospital and can also be used for a NT$30 discount on purchases inside.

╰➝ Click here to register for the book launch event series

“Old House Maturity” Pre-order Information

□ Publication Date｜Pre-orders open on 9/17・WED. on online bookstores, officially launched on 9/24・WED. through all network channels.
□ Pre-order Period｜2025. 09. 17・WED. –2025. 09. 23・WED.
❏ Pre-order Channels | Books.com.tw / Eslite / Taaze / Kingstone
❏ Book Price | NT$ 660