Meiting Introduction
The "Beitou Mei Pavilion," built in the late 1930s, is a Western-style villa that witnessed the wartime era while adapting to the local characteristics of Beitou. Standing in Beitou Park for nearly a century, it has had various owners, including the Japanese Government-General, the Minister of the Army, and Taipei Prefecture during the Japanese occupation. After World War II in 1945, it mainly served as a private residence. In 2006, it was registered as a historical building of Taipei City due to its architectural significance. Situated adjacent to the Beitou River, it harmoniously integrates the mountain scenery to the south with the river's flow. The upper level features a traditional Japanese wooden framework, while the lower level consists of a basement made of reinforced concrete, serving as a bomb shelter. In the landscape of Japanese street houses at that time, it stands out as unique and historically valuable. The entrance columns bear the name "Mei Pavilion," inscribed by calligrapher Yu Youren. Within the courtyard, there is a protected camphor tree (number 1679) under the "Taipei City Tree Protection Autonomous Regulations." The surrounding walls are constructed of locally sourced "Qili An stone." The interior layout is meticulously designed, taking advantage of Beitou's abundant geothermal resources, once featuring a "hot spring bathroom." An "attic" was built for observation and storage, also regulating indoor temperature and moisture, serving as the ceiling for the lower floor and supporting the structural integrity of the building. The entrance is adorned with "glazed mosaic" tiles and pebbled columns, showcasing the beauty of craftsmanship. The "octagonal window" design on the walls, popularized during the Japanese era, reflects a subdued elegance and exhibits a sense of the time and architectural beauty. In 2021, the Taipei Cultural Bureau commissioned the Taipei Cultural Foundation for its operation and maintenance, aiming to enhance the reuse of cultural assets and promote local culture. In the future, it will continue to embody Beitou's unique cultural characteristics through art exhibitions and educational activities, creating a vibrant space that combines history, culture, and the arts.
