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Reconstruction Strategies for Sustainability on the Eco-Climate Modification
– Taking the Buddhist Temples after the 921-Earthquake Calamity as the
Reviewed Illustration.
Wen-Cheng Shao,* Che-Ming Chiang,* Po-Cheng Chou,** Yen-Yi Li,*
* Department of Architecture, National Cheng-Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan 701, ROC
** Department of Interior Design, Shu-Te University, Yenchao, Taiwan 824, ROC
ABSTRACT
Reports from the Chinese Buddhist Temple Association showed that
exceeding sixty temples near the fault-belt of the 921-Earthquake were
incurred heavy damage. Fourteen temples of them were selected for field
investigation in this study. It aimed to analyze the relationship between the
temple form and the disasters caused by earthquake. Some reconstruction
strategies considering the domestic climate and healthy environment were
suggested after reviews. The goal is to propose some concepts of the
sustainable development for Buddhist temples.
Keywords: 921-Earthquake Calamity; Buddhist temples; reconstruction strategies;
local climate
1. INTRODUCTION
After the 921-EarthquakeCalamity, exceeded sixty temples near the fault-belt were painfully damaged.
Fourteen of them were selected to proceed the field investigation in this study. It was found that the
reasons of the structure-injure, caused directly or indirectly by criteria-exceeded earthquake-strength, unfit
structure system, improper construction manner and inappropriate equipment attachment etc.
Furthermore, construction form of Buddhist temple was the major factor that could increase the ruin.
Figure 1 is an on-site photograph after the 921-Earthquake Calamity, which shows a set of typical
patterns for Buddhist temple in Taiwan. These typical patterns consisted of the multi-gambrel roof made by
the heavily reinforced concrete, the sanctuary hall with large-span, elevated space and blank-wall, and the
lots of transoms for air-exchange to be able to adjust the thermal comfort. Unfortunately, it showed that the
typic