In 2023, the X-Basic team considered reprinting and revising “Maturing Taipei” (2020), a special publication celebrating 20 years of old house renewal in Taipei. Through extensive discussions, we realized that many projects featured in the original book had fulfilled their purpose. Times had changed, as had the people and places involved. Our team’s role had also evolved – from observers and participants to hands-on practitioners of old house renewal. As we moved from being observers to facing the hands-on challenges of restoration, our perspective on old houses naturally shifted.

The idea of writing from a practitioner’s viewpoint began to take root: If we were part of a rebirth, why not create a completely new book? Could we create a collection of works based on first-hand restoration experience, the basis for a replicable model? We never imagined at the time that this simple idea would launch a two-year-long book-writing journey.

From a Collection of Works to a “Practical Guide”

Initially, the book was planned from X-Basic’s perspective, aiming to address common misconceptions about old houses, respond to current trends, and include stories from experts and scholars. However, as we visited renewal projects across the island and thanks to a reminder from our original publisher, Ke Ya-chien, we realized that a true “guide” could only emerge from the sites themselves, allowing the story of regeneration from every corner of the island to unfold organically.

The original grand narrative gave way to a pragmatic, grounded approach. We focused on over 32 diverse renewal projects across the island – varying in era, type, and scale, including some of our own. We re-examined the decision-making, resource integration, and the human element – the rights and considerations – hidden within the complex process of revitalization. Through dozens of hours of interviews, we uncovered the initial struggles and pivotal decisions of the homeowners. This process restored an authentic, detailed context that historical records, academic papers, and maps alone could not provide.

Figure 1: We conduct on-site interviews for each case, delving into the stakeholders’ decision-making processes. Pictured is an interview at Qingtian 76 with Mr. Chien Chao-cheng and Ms. Yang Ching-ming.
Figure 2: “Beyond Aged” involves on-the-ground field research to understand how historical spaces integrate into modern cities. Pictured is the Rongjin Gorgeous Time.
Figure 3: Before an interview at Baimiweng Fort, Shan Yen-po, founder of Keilang Camino (second from left), gave our team a guided tour of the site.
Figure 4: With gratitude to the book’s editorial consultant, Wu I-yen (second from left), for his enduring support and guidance, accompanying us on visits to numerous old house renewal sites. Image of an interview with Lin Sheng-feng at the National Museum of History.

To write this book, our team traveled to renewal sites across Taiwan. We saw Ms. Chang Fang-ting, director of Hehe Qingtian, personally tending to its courtyard, transforming the guesthouse’s tranquil atmosphere into a warm tea culture brand. We learned how Ms. Ku Cheng-chun, owner of the Yuan Gu Creative Shop, resisted demolition despite lengthy negotiations and a complex restoration, thereby preserving the original streetscape and reviving the beauty of wabi-sabi. We also witnessed the journey of ArtDe Corner, led by architects Huang Chieh-erh and Chung Hsin-yi, and brand manager Lee I-chen. Before becoming the shared space it is today, the team navigated business model trials and explorations, ultimately finding a path to coexist with the neighborhood.

These on-site details and nuances, when cross-referenced with our own experiences, formed the conceptual framework for the first two chapters of “Beyond Aged” and the practical Q&A section at the end of the book. By distilling scattered renewal experiences into a coherent whole, this book aims to foster a broader public dialogue. We hope to shift the social perspective on old houses – moving beyond the “demolish or not” dilemma toward exploring creative reuse strategies for their entire lifecycle.

Figure 1: The “Beyond Aged” team with Chang Fang-ting (left), owner of Hehe Qingtian. (Image source: Provided by Hehe Qingtian)
Figure 2: Interview at ArtDe Corner, featuring architects Huang Chieh-erh (second from left) and Chung Hsin-i (second from right), and owner Li I-chen (right).

A Work of Collective Effort

Just as restoring an old house requires the dedicated collaboration of many, so does publishing a book. “Beyond Aged” is truly a product of collective effort.

▌Behind-the-scenes Team

Our sincere gratitude goes to Chief Planner Huang Po-yao for his complete trust in the team, supporting us throughout this two-year journey of interviews and writing. To our co-authors Hsiao Ting-hsiung, Huang Ling-ming, Chung Chia-ling, and Wu Hsin-jung, thank you for transforming your observations from travels across the island into the written word. Special thanks to Editorial Consultant Wu I-yen, who was not only involved in the long-term strategic planning of this book but also personally penned the chapter “Keelung Taiping Elementary School”. We are also grateful to our team members: Hsiao Han-wen for her many valuable suggestions for the appendices, and Liao I-ting for sharing her past book-editing experience with us. To the photographers Chu I-wen, Hsu Chen-tang, Chang Ming-chih, and Lin I-an, thank you for faithfully capturing the spirit and essence of these old houses through your distinctive lenses. And finally, to Uni-Books, for their guidance from anchoring the content structure in the initial stages to overseeing the proofreading and printing process in the final stages, which ultimately brought this book into the hands of our readers.

▌Special Appreciation

The soul of “Beyond Aged” lies in the 32+ renewal projects featured within its pages. We thank all the owners, restorers, and operating teams for sharing their stories, which allowed us to interpret the value and meaning of old house renewal in contemporary society from multiple perspectives.

□ Cultural Spaces | Baimiweng Fort, Yuan Gu Creative Shop, ArtDe Corner, National Museum of History, Taiping Tobacco Market, Taiwan Pineapple Museum

Commercial Spaces｜BackerHouse, Sukina B&B, Qingtian 76, Hehe Qingtian, Xinpu Pan Jinhe Residence, OR House, Neng Gao Club B&B, Hayashi Department Store, The old campus of Keelung Taiping Elementary School, Taichung Fourth Credit Cooperative, Kaohsiung Port Warehouse No.2, Yamato Coffee Roasters

□ Educational Spaces｜Heritage Official Residence of Nan Gou Gunshu, Hueish Sheng Hospital, College of Human Ecology and Building of Educational Affairs, Shih Chien University

□ Residential Spaces｜Huang’s Old Mansion, Bike Space Station, Kaohsiung Simple-Basic Apartment

□ Mixed-Use Spaces｜Chang-Yuan Hospital Lukang Historical Image Museum, Rongjin Gorgeous Time, Jianguo Military Dependents’ Village, Chiayi Old Prison Dormitory Complex, Workstation JK, Chuhuangkeng Mine, SAN-HE Tile Factory, Cijin Social Innovation Base

Finally, we are sincerely grateful to Chang Sheng-lin and Jung Fang-chieh for taking the time to write the preface for this book, bringing the academic perspective into the book; Chien Chao-cheng, Lu Yao-chung, Lin Hsiao-wei, Ling Tsung-kuei, Huang Chun-ming, Huang Yun-shu, Huang Chin-hua, Hsieh Pei-chuan, Chung Hsin-i, Su Ming-hsiu, Su Ying-min, Wu I-yen, and other seniors in various professional fields have also generously given their support.

“Beyond Aged” will be officially published on September 24, 2025. We sincerely dedicate the culmination of two years of work to everyone who cares about the future of Taiwan’s old houses. May it accompany all fellow travelers on the continuing journey to find a harmonious way to coexist with our times.

“Beyond Aged” Purchase Information

❏ Publication Date | Officially launching on Wednesday, 9/24, across all platforms
❏ Online Retailers | Books.com.tw / Eslite / Taaze / Kingstone
❏ Book Price | NT$ 660

New Book Launch Series Events

❏ 10/4 ꜱᴀᴛ. Taichung Event｜Can I Operate an Old House Too? The Business Potential and Management of Old Houses
❏ 10/18 ꜱᴀᴛ. Kaohsiung Event｜Warm Houses with Great Stories: Grand Reveal of Classic Old House Renovation Case Study Map
❏ 11/1 ꜱᴀᴛ. Taipei Event｜From Revitalization to Restoration: Creating a Guide for ‘Old House Regeneration’

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