Dayuanzi

On November 1, 2012, it was reviewed and approved by the Taipei City Department of Cultural Affairs, registered as a historic building, and named "National Taiwan University Public Dormitory." In the early morning of February 5, 2013, it was suddenly devastated by a fire. In 2015, Ms. Guo Shuzhen, chairperson of Liky Construction, acquired the ROT (Renovate-Operate-Transfer) project from National Taiwan University, and the restoration was completed after nearly three and a half years. Because nearby residents referred to this building complex as "Dayuanzi," it was named "Dayuanzi" when it opened to the public after restoration. Architectural Background and History of the Public Dormitory: Dayuanzi was built during the Japanese colonial period. According to existing ridge plaques, the building was designed and contracted by the Accounting Section of the Governor-General's Office of Taiwan, with Tsukamoto Tomonosuke as the contractor. The "Jōtō-shiki," or ridgepole-raising ceremony, was held on March 8, Shōwa 6 (1931). There are two theories regarding the historical background of the National Taiwan University Public Dormitory. One theory, based on official records from the Ministry of Culture's Cultural Heritage website, states that in its early days, it belonged to the Japanese Navy's "Suikōsha," which was a "guesthouse" or "club" for naval officers. The second theory suggests it was a dormitory for single faculty and staff of Taihoku Imperial University during the Japanese colonial period. Regardless of whether it was a "Suikōsha" or a "single staff dormitory," there is currently no primary historical evidence to substantiate its original purpose and function, which adds to the mystery and historical depth of the National Taiwan University Public Dormitory. Reference: Dayuanzi (Japanese Navy Guesthouse) official website.