The Mineless Heritage Restoration Project
The Mineless Heritage Restoration Project
DIVOOE ZEIN Architects
ARCHITECTS
DIVOOE ZEIN Architects
LANDSCAPE ENGINEERING
Shenmao Garden Engineering Line
ENGINEERING TEAM
Micro Design
STRUCTURE CONSULTANT
Gao Peixiu
VISUAL DESIGNER
Lin Nianru, Lin Fan-Hing
LIGHTING DESIGNERS
WEDO Lighting
DESIGN EXECUTION
Zeng Zhigwei, You Ye Ye Ci, Hu Ruyan
WATER PROTECTION CONSULTANT
Wei Dejing
PROGRAM / USE / BUILDING FUNCTION
Coal mine restoration
SITE AREA
2380 m²
AREA
790 m²
YEAR
2023
LOCATION
Taiwan
CATEGORY
Restaurants & Bars, Cultural Architecture, Restoration
MINELESS
Located in the mountains and forests of Baiji Section in Sanxia District, New Taipei City, Mineless is a reformed space that was once a logistical facility for the Chungyi Coal Mine.
REMNANTS
The original structures of the mining facility were scattered throughout the wilderness, including the administrative offices, mine entry remnants of Japanese colonial-era, a crane base, coal washing areas, miner's dormitories, a cafeteria, a bathhouse, and more.
Since Taiwan ceased all mining activities in 2000, these industrial buildings have remained abandoned.
FUNCTION
Within the facility, various areas have been repurposed for the following functions, including the preserved building of remnants, a wild herb tea shop, a small theater, a natural herb tea aroma room, an art exhibition area, a grand hall for meditation, and a seating area for tea with tree’s root in the sky.
Mineless aims to integrate contemporary uses into ancient and decaying functional spaces, creating rich and vibrant scenes.
RESTORATION
The restoration of the main buildings focuses on the structure, electrical systems, waterproofing engineering, restoration of the original appearance, craftsmanship in producing hand-made vintage furniture, and the use of native plants for landscaping, etc.
These efforts employ a series of reversible methods that are harmless and friendly to historic buildings. They bridge and harmonize the differences between new and old objects in the space.
The primary materials used in the restoration are black iron with an oil-shell-like luster and recycled old wood.
The aging rust and weathered textures of these materials, in harmony with the original architectural style, coexist seamlessly with the restoration of the structure, functional use, and historical flavor.
GROTTO-HEAVEN
After three years of meticulous research, analysis, preservation, planning, and construction, the existing space has been reorganized and redefined.
In the midst of this beautiful space, we aspire to create a sanctuary for human connection with oneself, tranquility, history, and nature within the remnants of the mountainous coal mine.
