Big Yard Introduction
On November 1, 2012, the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Taipei City Government approved the registration of the "National Taiwan University Public Dormitory" as a historical building. In the early hours of February 5, 2013, it suffered a fire disaster. In 2015, the ROT project of National Taiwan University was acquired by Guo Shuzhen, Chairman of Lichi Construction, and the restoration was completed after nearly three and a half years. Since local residents refer to this architectural complex as "Dà Yuànzi," it was opened to the public under that name after the restoration. The architectural history and background of the Public Dormitory began during the Japanese colonial period. According to old records, it was designed and contracted by the Japanese Governor-General's Office Accounting Section, with the construction carried out by the contractor Yosuke Shigeno, and the "topping ceremony" was held on March 8, 1931, during the 6th year of the Shōwa era. There are two accounts regarding the historical background of the National Taiwan University Public Dormitory. One states that, according to official records on the Ministry of Culture's cultural heritage information website, it was originally affiliated with the Japanese Navy as a "Water Exchange Society," serving as a "guesthouse" or "club" for naval officers. The second account indicates that it was a bachelor housing for faculty members of Taihoku Imperial University during the Japanese colonial period. Regardless of whether it was the "Water Exchange Society" or the "bachelor quarters," there are currently no primary historical materials to substantiate its original purpose and function, adding to the mystery and historical depth of the National Taiwan University Public Dormitory. Reference: Dà Yuànzi (Japanese Navy Guesthouse) official website.
