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Once overgrown with weeds and sealed away for years, the Dou-Nan Railway Warehouse is about to transform into a community learning hub filled with hope and knowledge! Feng Chia University's College of Architecture has long been dedicated to rural education and the regeneration of public spaces. On April 14, the university officially launched the "Dou-Nan Railway Mini Library and Community Integration Space" project, partnering with the Yunlin County Government, architectural faculty and students, and local organizations to revitalize unused spaces and create a new hub for reading, integration, and innovation.
The project is led by Feng Chia University Vice President Shwu-Ting Lee, with alumnus architect Po-Chang Hsieh responsible for spatial design. It integrates the interior design course of the College of Architecture's undergraduate program, guided by professors Sheng-Hsin Hsu, Wei Lin, and Yao-Chung Lu, who led 25 junior students in a seven-week hands-on initiative. From site surveys and spatial concepts to initial designs, students immersed themselves in the community, conducting guided tours and in-depth interviews under the leadership of Ming-Chu Wu, Executive Director of the Cheng Zhi Education Foundation, and Chin-Hsin Chang from Warehouse No. 7. This allowed them to deeply understand the community's context, making their designs not just classroom assignments but meaningful responses to local needs.
Integrating the interior design course, 25 junior students from the College of Architecture embarked on a seven-week hands-on initiative, transforming the old Dou-Nan Station rear warehouse into the "Dou-Nan Railway Mini Library."
"This is a fully autonomous practice of CSR and USR!" emphasized Professor Yao-Chung Lu, who has been promoting the mini library project for years. He noted that this is not just an extension of architectural design courses but a demonstration of university students' ability to respond to societal needs. Each mini library's creation brings together the efforts of the university, alumni, local communities, and businesses, making it the warmest form of educational and design practice.
Architect Po-Chang Hsieh shared that his last involvement in public space revitalization was 30 years ago, designing spaces under the Zhongtou Highway Bridge. Being able to once again advocate for community public spaces and witness the collaboration between the government and the university to positively impact education and architectural expertise is deeply meaningful.
Since 2013, Feng Chia University's College of Architecture has initiated the "Feng Chia Architectural Mini Library" project, planned by faculty and students, funded by alumni, and executed through cross-disciplinary collaboration. The project has reached rural areas in Taiwan and abroad, creating aesthetically pleasing and functional mini libraries that provide children with comfortable spaces for reading and learning. Over the past decade, more than 20 mini libraries have been completed, spanning areas such as Xihu in Changhua, Tai'an in Miaoli, Sanxia in New Taipei, Ren'ai in Nantou, and Gukeng in Yunlin, as well as international locations like Chiang Rai in Thailand and Medan in Indonesia, fulfilling the original intention of "accompanying children as they grow through architecture."
"Our goal is 100 mini libraries!" Feng Chia University stated. The university will continue collaborating with governments, communities, businesses, and international organizations to improve rural educational environments. Through architectural expertise, it aims to connect goodwill and hope, achieve educational equity, and provide more children with a starting point to transform their futures.
Feng Chia University aims for 100 mini libraries! In 2025, it will collaborate with the Yunlin County Government to create the "Dou-Nan Railway Mini Library."
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