Xiu Zelan facts for kids

Xiu Zelan (Chinese: 修澤蘭; August 15, 1925 – February 27, 2016) was a famous architect from Taiwan. She was also known as Hsiu Tse-Lan. Xiu Zelan was born in Yuanling, Hunan, which is a place in China.

During World War II, she studied architecture at National Central University in Chongqing. This university is now called Southeast University School of Architecture. In 1947, she started working for the Taiwan Railways Administration. She worked as an assistant engineer in the logistics and engineering department.

Xiu Zelan was known for her modern designs. She often mixed new ideas with traditional styles. Her work caught the eye of Chiang Kai-shek, who was an important leader. In 1965, she led the design of the Chung-Shan Building in Yangmingshan. This building was made for important government events. The Chung-Shan Building became one of her most famous projects. It earned her the nickname "Number 1 Female Architect of Taiwan."

In 1967, Xiu Zelan received the first Golden Tripod Award for Architecture. This was a big honor for architects in Taiwan. In 2015, the Taiwanese government thanked her for her work. This was for the 50th anniversary of the Chung-Shan Building.

Early Life and Education

Childhood and School

Xiu Zelan was born on August 15, 1925. Her hometown was Yuanling, Hunan.

In 1937, she began studying architecture. She went to National Central University in Chongqing. The university had moved there because of World War II. During this time, she met Chiang Kai-shek. He was the head of the university.

Starting Her Career

After finishing her studies, Xiu Zelan became an architect. Her first job was in 1947. She worked for the Ministry of Communications in Nanjing, China. The next year, she moved to Shanghai. However, it was a difficult time, and there were not many design jobs.

In 1949, a big war was happening in China. Xiu Zelan accepted a job in Taiwan. She started a new part of her career there.

Working in Taiwan

Taiwan Railways Administration

Xiu Zelan joined the Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA). She worked as an assistant engineer and architect. Even though the department did not have much money, she worked on many important projects. One of her key projects was the Banqiao Train Station. This station has since been taken down.

At the TRA, Xiu Zelan met C. K. Fu. He was also an engineer. They got married in 1953. They later had a son. In 1955, Xiu Zelan and her husband left the TRA. They started their own architecture company in 1956.

Famous Buildings She Designed

Xiu Zelan designed many important buildings. Here are some of her well-known works:

• Banqiao Station (板橋火車站(舊站))
• Chung-Shan Building (中山樓) (陽明山)
• Taipei Women's Teacher Junior College (台北女師專)
• Viator High School Church (衛道中學教堂)
• Lanyang Girl's Middle School Auditorium (蘭陽女中禮堂)
• Banqiao Senior High School (板橋高中)
• Chung-Shan Girl's Middle School Auditorium (中山女中禮堂)
• Taipei Jingmei Girls School Library and Admin Building (景美女中圖書館及行政大樓)
• Chih Shan Junior High School (至善國中)
• Wu Feng Elementary School (霧峰國小)
• National Chia-Yi Girls' Senior High School (國立嘉義女子高級中學)
• Hu-wei Senior High School (虎尾高中)
• National Chung Hsing Senior High School (中興高中)
• Hualien Normal University Library (花蓮師範學院圖書館)
• Sun Moon Lake Teacher's Hall (日月潭教師會館)
• Taichung Teacher's Hall (台中教師會館)
• Yangming Senior High School (陽明高中)
• Taipei Mingde Junior High School (明德國中)