Namasia's Beautiful Mincyuan Elementary School/韌性重生的山林寶石─那瑪夏民權國小
Namasia's Beautiful Mincyuan Elementary School
◎English translation: Hou Ya-ting
◎Photos by Lin Hao-ran
In 2009, Namasia's Mincyuan Elementary School was destroyed by Typhoon Morakot. It was decided that the school would be rebuilt on a new site. Delta Electronics Foundation came forward to sponsor the reconstruction. In February 2012, it was reopened, with some great new innovations, including the building being constructed with environmental materials and a renewable energy supply, ensuring the campus would have a self-sufficient power supply. In 2012, it was also certified as EEWH Diamond Level green building, which is the highest ranking Green building achievable in Taiwan.
At 800 meters above sea level, Namasia is renowned for its peach and plum orchards. On the beautiful drive up to the school, orchards can be seen along the way. In February, it is particularly picturesque when the trees are in bloom. The pink flowers of the peach and the white flowers of the plum trees bring great beauty and charm to the region.
Although it is located in remote region, Mincyuan Elementary School's uniquely environmental design caught the attention of National Geographic, who came and filmed a documentary about it for the TV series Megastructures, entitled, "Eco School-- Mincyuan Elementary School in Namasia District".
The school's architect, Mr. Kuo Ying-chao, put great thought and care into the architectural design. Although he grew up in the city, he did a great deal of research regarding the region's aboriginal people, history and culture to prepare for the project. In addition, through questionnaires, Mr. Kuo consulted with the students. His unique design also includes the school's multiple buildings being raised up on stilts, which allows rain water and wind to flow beneath. This design reflects the traditional design of a Bunan Kuba, a tribal building where young Bunan males learn how to do traditional singing and dancing and gain hunting skills. Mr. Guo also hopes the students will gain traditional knowledge and learn about tribal traditions in the library. The various buildings on campus are also designed with a Green ventilation system that includes an electronic sunroof and windows facing in northerly and southerly directions, which fully utilize the sun's natural lighting. These have efficiently reduced the need for air-conditioners.
The wooden library resembles the shape of a datura flower, which is a flower indigenous to the area. The corridor of the main school building has a totem-wall with a diamonded-shape pattern, stretching all the way up to its ceiling, which is symbolic of the eyes of the ancestors. It is truly a mixture of modern environmental architecture and traditional tribal culture.
The campus also boasts various art works by local artists. One can be seen on the school's large red, pink and blue water tank, which is symbolic of the importance of harvest in Bunun culture. A painting on the front wall of the school depicts the legend of a crab defeating an anaconda and a separate picture of a giant bird. The painting was designed to encourage residents in Namasia not to be afraid of challenges and that they are resilient, having rebuilt after Morokot devastated their neighborhoods. Through art, visitors can gain a deeper appreciation for indigenous culture.
The rebuilding of Mincyuan Elementary School at its new site demonstrates the resilience of the Bunun spirit. It is definitely worth a visit. Come and see the campus' unique environmental design. The Bunan people are extremely hospitable people and are sure to give visitors a warm welcoming.
韌性重生的山林寶石─那瑪夏民權國小
◎文、攝影/林浩然
莫拉克颱風肆虐那瑪夏區民權國小,讓全體師生失去楠梓仙溪畔風景如畫的校園。在台達電子文教基金會協助下,以「永續零耗能」為理念,融合部落文化,在原鄉異地綻放出新面貌,持續陪伴孩子們快樂成長。
通往民權國小的主要道路,沿途可見農民在路旁種植的水蜜桃及梅樹,每逢2月粉色及白色花瓣綻開時節,花海美不勝收。有「鑽石級綠建築」美譽的民權國小,透過國家地理頻道《偉大工程巡禮:那瑪夏環保小學》的紀錄片,呈現在世人眼前。雖然建築師郭英釗在都市中成長、生活,為讓師生們享受被大自然包圍的校園,他特意參考學生意見,以求設計出孩子們理想的學校。除了不破壞民權台地原始地貌外,台地山勢也成為調節溫度方法之一,並善用日照與風向等自然條件,輔以透氣孔、南北向窗戶、可以電動操控開關的頂窗等設計,讓這座綠能學校,有效減少對空調依賴。
民權國小的圖書館外觀打造成曼陀羅花,採原民高腳屋建築形式,構想啟發自傳統原住民男子集會所,是建築師對原住民祖先智慧表達致敬的深意,它是老獵人傳授狩獵知識和經驗的場所,等同部落知識的殿堂,藉此象徵部落文化傳承。
校園裡處處可見充滿原住民風的裝置藝術,具有畫龍點睛效果,佇立在校園制高點的杵臼外型水塔,塔上布農族傳統的畫曆,藍色外觀上以鮮明的粉紅和紅色註記,寓意布農先祖們在畫曆上標示農耕祭儀時間,傳遞辛勞農耕後,對豐收的期待與渴望。而校舍外牆的壁畫,述說著古老的布農傳說,布農祖先曾遭受過洪水同樣侵襲美好家園的困難與挑戰,所幸眾人團結和不計回報伸出援手,在人們努力與堅持下,終究擊退災難,一如壁畫所繪:螃蟹打敗象徵洪水的巨蟒,巨鳥帶來了火種,那瑪夏的人們不畏困苦,重建家園和校舍。牆上的菱形圖紋也象徵「祖靈的眼睛」,透過藝術裝置不僅為校園增添風采,更讓外來遊客理解當地文化脈絡精髓,同時為那瑪夏民權國小的過去留下見證,提醒人們要更有勇氣面對未來。
災後重建得以煥然一新的民權國小,以曼陀羅花般的姿態綻放在山林中,彷彿向人們宣告著堅韌不拔的布農精神,不會為任何災難所動,只會在一次次磨練中更加璀燦。