臺北市政府文化局

On turning from Heping East Road onto Jinshan South Road, we remain on the university campus, with its vital, youthful atmosphere. But as we head further north, it feels as though we are entering a time tunnel, and the surroundings suddenly become more refined, especially after turning into Alley 203, where the prominent Japanese-style buildings—the Forestry Section Dormitory Complex of the Government-General of Taiwan—give the impression of stepping into a mountain forest.

In the 1930s, as forestry became Taiwan’s fastest-growing industry, the Forestry Section set up and gradually expanded a staff welfare organization, the Forestry Mutual Aid Association, to acquire dormitories for its staff. After the war, the dormitories were taken over by the Forestry Bureau and continued to be used for staff housing. 

Any discussion of the preservation of cultural assets would be incomplete without mentioning the century-old Taiwan Cow-tail Fir in the courtyard of No. 22 of the complex. In 2006, thanks to public efforts, Taipei City Government designated the Forestry Section Dormitory Complex of the Government-General of Taiwan a municipal monument and historical building. After more than a decade of surveys, research, and restoration, the dormitory complex has been restored to its original state and is now open to the public, allowing people to appreciate both the dormitory complex and the Taiwan Cow-tail Fir.

The 0km Taipei mountain goods center is designed with three 100-year-old Japanese-style houses closest to the park and their surrounding outdoor space. It integrates the concept of sustainable mountain living by not only preserving the ten old trees on the site but also featuring mountain forest scenes from various elevations across Taiwan. This transforms the entire street into a mountain-forest scene within the city. 

In particular, for the outdoor landscape, the design team has created a complex forest environment that incorporates historical elements and involved residents in the development process. This includes an inner garden landscape featuring Japanese-style gardens that tell the story of historical relics, a sub-forest landscape highlighting camphor trees found throughout Taiwan’s mountainous regions, and an alley landscape inspired by traditional garden beds.

The whole is thoughtfully designed, guiding visitors step by step into a comfortable, serene mountain forest ambiance that offers a sense of seclusion and independence. It is ideal for those of us accustomed to life in the city who want to briefly escape the hustle and find a moment of tranquility.