A platform for cultural exchanges and a center of innovative incubator that is called “Store No. 127,” located at Taipei City’s Dihua Old Streets, was opened to public visit on May 8 at the street market that is famous for selling dried foods during the Lunar New Year holidays. The special store is a brainchild of Taipei city government and TKU Department of Architecture. The opening ceremony was joined by Taipei Deputy Mayor Lin Chien-yuan , TKU President C. I. Chang and Vice President for Administrative Affairs Dr. Kao Po-yuan as well as Dr. Yu Gwo-hsing, Dean of the College of Engineering. After the opening ceremony, an joint exhibition by sophomore and junior students of the department got started.

The head of Store No. 127, Dr. Wang Chun-hsiung of the department, quoted TKU President Dr. Flora C. I. Chang of saying that the store is the fifth campus of the university. “We have worked so hard in preparing the opening of the center,” said Wang, “hopefully, the store can be cherished by all and become a space that has both artistic and architecture elements.” Dr. Lai Ih-cheng, one of the instructors of the project, said he and his students have worked together to combine the culture of Dihua street when they design the center, an exhibition space that exhibits the hidden treasure of the area. Ke Chun-yen, a graduate of the department, said Store No. 127 is one of the best art galleries he has visited so far. The store is designed without glass walls and constructed with smooth flow and great atmosphere, allowing visitors to enjoy a pressure-free art space and step into the store naturally, he added. ( ~Yeh Yun-kai )