Nantou County gears up for seniors’ craft center

2014-08-12

A new craft center for senior citizens in central Taiwan’s Nantou County is expected to play a significant role in harnessing the creative talents of this underutilized segment of society, according to National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute.

The four-story center is situated on the site of Caotun Township’s former library next to Zhongshan Park. It forms part of an NT$53.8 million (US$1.8 million) project funded by the Ministry of Culture in association with NTCRDI and the township.

Expected to be completed in early 2015, the center will be run by a local team and provide ample opportunities for seniors to try their hand at creating art and continue lifelong learning.

“The modernist, eco-friendly architecture accommodates a craft studio, as well as tailored activity rooms,” an NTCRDI official said. “Its design blends seamlessly with surrounding sloped terrain and features an outdoor square with a century-old camphor tree as the centerpiece.”

According to the institute, the 2,776-square-meter site has a long history dating back to the Qing dynasty (1644-1911) when it was a regional hub for livestock trade.

“Preserving the historical significance of this location is an essential feature of the project,” the official said. “We have worked hard to create an easily accessible, friendly environment for seniors attuned with the traditions of the area.”

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=220468&CtNode=413)