Build More Rooms When Needed! Houses Growing Bigger with the Families
Turned Morgues and Stables into Homes?
In 1945, the government of the Republic of China took over facilities left by the Japanese army, including dormitories, warehouses, stables, and morgues and turned them into military dependents’ housing. Since the buildings were not enough to accommodate all new residents, they created additional rooms with plywood and separated the yards with bamboo fences. Public restrooms and public (hot spring) bathhouses were also provided.
Houses Built by the National Women's League
National Women's League of the R.O.C. was founded by Soong, May-Ling (Madam Chiang, Kai-shek), who was the first lady, with the goal of taking care of military dependents for the government. In 1962, they constructed 7 wooden houses with asbestos roofs in Heart Village for military dependents to apply for.
Build Your Own House!
For those who were not allocated housing, they could apply to build their own homes on vacant land within the village. The architectural styles of these self-built homes varied as each person had different ranks, financial resources and land.
As the villagers settled in Heart Village with the second generation growing up, there was a growing need for space, so families started to expand their houses. To ensure privacy, they also added bathrooms and toilets and replaced bamboo fences with brick walls.
