Wandering through Tainan, the historic capital of Taiwan’s Tainan Prefecture, you’ll find that beyond the officially designated historical sites, the city’s streets and alleys are dotted with many long-standing residential buildings that preserve the everyday culture of past eras. However, in today’s 21st century, some of these unoccupied structures face demolition due to rapid economic development and urban renewal. Despite this, a group of passionate individuals, driven by their affection for the city, recognize the cultural memory and heritage value of these old houses and have begun to “protect” them.
Many operators of these old-house shops are youths from the 1970s and 1980s—either locals or those who came to Tainan for school and fell in love with the city. Together, they promote creative, gentle, and community-driven approaches to preserving old houses, staying true to their core philosophies. As a result, old houses have gradually become popular gathering spots for the new generation of young people.
The book “Tainan Days: A Mini Adventure in Old Houses” once noted: “Old houses are a way to remember the old times. A city without stories is a dead city. And old houses are the spaces that preserve these stories. Though their glory may have faded, the spirit and attitude they embody are even more enchanting.”
Thus, the Taiwan Ancient Capital Foundation launched the “Old House Rejuvenation” campaign, encouraging a new generation of young artists to reinterpret Tainan’s old culture through their own understanding, combined with fresh creativity and technology, thereby revitalizing old spaces and reviving Taiwan’s traditional lifestyle aesthetics, which had gradually been lost in the race for rapid development. This “new everyday life movement” has transformed Tainan’s “old houses”—once tucked away in narrow and obscure alleys—by giving them a new look while preserving their original structural integrity. These spaces have been reborn as cafés, guesthouses, second-hand bookstores, and more. Interestingly, although the retro elements reflect styles from the 1960s or even earlier, the main clientele tends to be young women or couples. According to observations by the author and interviews with shop owners, this trend is linked to how operators effectively use social media. Furthermore, statistics show that the age group most active on Facebook in Taiwan falls between 18 and 34—coinciding perfectly with the primary customer demographic of these old-house shops.
Facebook page operators of these old-house shops often host various events such as flower arrangement workshops, printmaking classes, and cultural lectures, making their establishments multifunctional—not just teahouses or guesthouses, but also flexible venues for hosting diverse artistic and cultural events within the old-house space. With the complementarity of these activities and services, the ambiance offered by Tainan’s old houses has completely transformed from what one might traditionally associate with aged buildings. Instead, they have become vibrant hubs of culture, creativity, art, and care.
Image source: Kinks Old Houses
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