Old spirit & new life - Fresh looks for Chungtu Tangjung Brick Kiln Factory & Wuteh Hall / 老靈魂 新生命—─中都磚窯廠與武德殿的未來新風貌
Old spirit & new life - Fresh looks for Chungtu Tangjung Brick Kiln Factory & Wuteh Hall
Written by Yu-Fong Wang Photos by Jung-Hui Pao
The word 'relic' brings to mind images of dark, dusty old buildings. However, through restoration, these buildings can look vibrant and new again, which has been the case in recent years for a number of buildings throughout Kaohsiung courtesy of the hard work of the City Government. Not only do these buildings visually look more appealing, but they also attract more visitors and tourists making them more successful from a business perspective as well. The best example of this would be the British Consulate at Takao. Built in the mid-19th Century, it was recently restored and taken over by a private company. Since the take-over, clientele has increased from zero to a full house every weekend demonstrating how successful "relic restoration" can be.
After the restoration success of the "British Consulate at Takao", the Kaohsiung City Government is waving its magic wand in the direction of a number of other local relics. Two in particular are the Chungtu Tangjung Brick Kiln Factory by the Love River and the Wuteh Hall in Hamasen.
Chungtu Tangjung Brick Kiln Factory, located at the section of Love River that runs through Chungtu, is regarded as a key factor in the industrialization of Kaohsiung. In 1902, a Japanese man, Sabajima, started the roof tile kiln factory at San Kuai Tso that later became the Chungtu Tangjung Brick Kiln Factory. Some time later, the factory was bought and managed by other companies and finally closed down in 1985.
The Brick Kiln Factory operated for about 80 years and contributed to enhancing business and also development in Kaohsiung City. The closing of the factory resulted in a sense of loss throughout the neighborhood, which resulted in a number of residents moving elsewhere. Furthermore, the building was once almost knocked down, but was fortunately spared when the Kaohsiung City Government appraised it as a relic building. Having been appraised as a relic, the Kaohsiung City Government plans to have it renovated with a walking path built around the surrounding area. The fences on Chunghuahen Road and Tongmeng Road are going to be removed and lights will be added, thus allowing those who are passing by to get a closer look at the building. It is also hoped that visitors to downtown Love River will continue strolling up to the Chungtu section which may see the area become prosperous once again.
The Wuteh Hall was used as a place to learn the Japanese martial arts such as Kendo and Judo during the Japanese Occupant Era. However, after World War II, Wuteh Hall was not frequented by martial artists and so became the teacher's dormitory for Gushan Elementary School. As it is getting older, the City Government ratified it as a relic in 1999, and has since renovated it giving it a stunning new look. The City Government also plans to have it managed by a private enterprise, similar to that of the "British Consulate at Takao".
老靈魂 新生命-─中都磚窯廠與武德殿的未來新風貌 文/王御風 攝影/鮑忠暉 提起「古蹟」,一般人所想到多半是斑駁破舊的老建築,充滿著陰暗與髒亂。然而近幾年來,在高雄市政府的用心經營下,老舊的古蹟重新翻修整理,不僅面貌一新,更藉由許多靈活的手法,賦予其新生命,成為民眾樂於親近的景點。最有名的例子,就是19世紀中期新建的「打狗英國領事館」,在改由民間經營後,原本乏人問津的場所,每逢週末假日,總是遊客如織,成為古蹟改建的成功範例。 有了「打狗英國領事館」的成功經驗,高雄市政府將把魔術棒延伸到其他的古蹟,座落於愛河畔的「中都磚窯廠」與哈瑪星的「武德殿」,都是下一個目標,假以時日,將以不同的面貌呈現在市民眼前。 「中都磚窯廠」位於愛河中遊的中都地區,該廠可說是高雄市工業化的始祖。1902(明治35)年,日人鮫島廣在三塊厝郊區創辦了有三座傳統目仔窯的「鮫島煉瓦工場」,這就是「中都磚窯廠」的前身,後來日治時期的「台灣煉瓦株式會社」及戰後的「唐榮鐵工廠」分別購置這座磚窯廠,其間更擴建了台灣難得一見的八卦窯廠,直到1985年(民國74年)在不敷成本下停工生產為止。 這座縱橫80餘年,帶動高雄市許多發展的磚窯廠,在停工後,附近區域因失去其產業的照應,居民紛紛流失,呈現蕭條的景象,一度面臨拆除的命運,後在市府的奔走下,被核定為國家古蹟,讓這座中都人的共同記憶得以保存,但市府並不滿意於此,除希望將其重新修整外,周邊更鋪設「景觀步道」,將於近期完工。中華橫路與同盟路口原有的圍籬將被拆除,並增加照明設施,讓其成為供市民休閒的景觀步道,不僅可親近磚窯廠,一窺其究竟,更可讓愛河的遊客,延伸至中都地區,帶來觀光人潮,再度成為帶動中都繁榮的火車頭。 至於「武德殿」則是日治時期讓民眾學習劍道、柔道之處,由於其有殖民時期的統治者遺風,使得其在戰後一直受到冷落,一度成為鼓山國小教職員宿舍,後更破舊不堪,搖搖欲墜,所幸在1999年(民國88年)被核定為市定古蹟,讓其獲得保存,後市府更撥經費加以整修,使其恢復往日光采,而最近市府更規劃讓其循「英國領事館」方式委外經營,希望能成為一個藝文表演的場所,給予古蹟活化更多不同的模式。 |