Changyuan Hospital – Lukang Historic Image Museum Named to the Inaugural Top 100 Cultural Bases
According to a Ministry of Culture report, “110 diverse cultural bases – including cultural and creative clusters, craft workshops, art exhibition spaces, independent bookstores, local centers of cultural creativity, community development sites, and historic sites – are located throughout the country. While maintaining their unique operational focus, they will develop deeper cultural context and serve as hubs for connection. They will further engage with local community organizations, guesthouses, schools, and historic sites to plan themed itineraries, expert-led tours, and hands-on workshops. This strategy aims to expand from individual points to a comprehensive network, broadening their impact and enriching the visitor experience”. – Adapted from the Ministry of Culture’s Cultural Base Map Website “Inaugural Top 100 Cultural Bases List Released: A Hundred Cultural Spots Weaving a Hundred Local Flavors”
As a team dedicated to the revitalization of old houses, we firmly believe that buildings record the memory of their times, while aesthetics and craftsmanship articulate that story. They also hold the energy necessary for sustainable urban development. Changyuan Old House Hospital stands as one of the most significant projects our team has cultivated in recent years. This historic old house, once a modern clinic during the Japanese Rule Period and the home of a pioneering Taiwanese realist photographer, has also been the living space for four generations of the Hsu family. Its micro-history, viewed from a family perspective, the unique traces of life within its walls, and its rich photographic archive make Changyuan Hospital a living museum of images of everyday life, embodying the local memory of Lukang’s transition into the modern era.
For this reason, we adopted a phased restoration strategy. Through a “preservation and investigation plan”, we explored the building’s cultural and historical significance. This included photography, architectural studies of buildings of a certain age, family history research, and documentation through image records and mural conservation workshops. Even during the three-year restoration, Changyuan Old House Hospital remained open to the public as the Changyuan Hospital – Lukang Historic Image Museum. This was made possible through a public welfare rental program for a youth creative base, supported by the Changhua County Government, and a local revitalization grant from the Ministry of Culture. This approach ensured that the old house maintained its connection with the community throughout its transformation.
Being selected as one of the inaugural Top 100 Cultural Bases is a significant affirmation for the X-Basic team and for Dr. Hsu Cheng-yuan, the homeowner, who have worked hand-in-hand to protect this precious cultural heritage. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Ministry of Culture, the Changhua County Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Changhua Youth Development Department, Dr. Hsu Cheng-yuan and his family, and all the mentors who have long supported Changyuan Hospital. This honor belongs to every partner who has cared for and contributed to this project.
The path to restoration has been long, but the moment of fruition is near. In June 2025, Changyuan Hospital will celebrate its 110th anniversary with a full public opening. The museum will then be presented in its complete form, centered on the Hsu family’s story. It will connect with the Lukang community, deepen local ties, and enhance its role in cultural exhibition and promotion. Beyond its core museum function, we will integrate diverse commercial models and establish an “old house restoration consultation” service. From this base, we will take root in the community and become a consulting platform for old house renewal.
Lukang Changyuan Hospital. (Image Source: Sandwich’s Cinema Production, photography by Chang Ming-Chih)
