Japan’s colonial architecture in Taiwan has a distinct style that can still be seen in many buildings today. This episode of "Deep Current" explores Japan’s industrialization of Taiwan and its impact on architectural development through some of the country's most visually unique structures. The Taipei Assembly Hall (Zhongshan Hall) is an iconic landmark in Taipei, serving as a concert hall with a blend of architectural influences. Our experts examine its diverse architectural styles and the historical contexts they reflect. In addition to the impressive Zhongshan Hall, they analyze other buildings with similar influences, including the Governor-General Kodama & Civil Administrator Goto Memorial Hall (now part of the National Taiwan Museum) and the Nippon Kangyo Bank Taipei Branch (now Taiwan’s Natural History Museum). The team also explores Japan’s push for industrialization and Westernization, particularly through the development of railways and their influence on local architecture. Chiayi, home to prized wood and a thriving timber industry during the Japanese colonial period, became a focal point of this transformation. This influence is evident in Chiayi’s architectural styles, which share similarities with colonial-era structures like Taipei’s Zhongshan Hall. Beyond the railways, the Japanese also built reservoirs and key infrastructure such as the ports of Keelung and Kaohsiung in their efforts to establish an industrialized colony. Beyond industrialization, the rise of the gentry in Taiwan also contributed to the spread of colonial architectural styles in towns and cities across the country. One such example is the Lu Residence in Yilan, which the team visits. Examining these architectural trends among the gentry within the context of historical events from the period reveals how architectural traditions developed in Taiwan during the early twentieth century. Follow the current of Japanese influence on Taiwan’s architecture and gain a deeper understanding of the lasting impact of Japan’s architectural traditions on this episode of “Deep Current: Architecture of Taiwan.” "Deep Current: Architecture of Taiwan" is an eight-episode docuseries tracing the evolution of Taiwanese architecture from the 17th to the 20th century. Taiwan’s architectural story is a fascinating fusion of history and global influences, resulting in a visual landscape unlike any other. Experience Taiwan’s unique architectural journey through its most iconic landmarks.