90-Year-Old Grandmother Recreates Taichung's Memories with Miniature Architecture

Ninety-year-old grandmother Huang Li-chin is meticulously recreating Taichung's cherished memories through her intricate miniature architectural models. An exhibition titled "Grandma's House" at the Chungyo Department Store showcases nine of her detailed creations, offering a tangible connection to the city's past.

Huang, who began creating models after retiring from the Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation, uses collected materials such as paper lining and scrap wood. Without formal training, she has crafted remarkably realistic models, including the Presidential Office, based solely on photographs. Her passion has continued for years, with her hands, weathered by time, bringing historical buildings like the Taichung Prefectural Hall, the former Monopoly Bureau, and the City Hall back to life.

The exhibition features works spanning from the 1994 Taichung Railway Station to the most recently completed City Hall in 2026. Each piece reflects Huang's deep affection for Taichung's old architecture and her dedication to preserving the city's historical narrative. She utilizes everyday materials like paper, discarded wood strips, and disposable chopsticks to meticulously reconstruct these significant structures.

Having moved to Taichung at the age of five, Huang's life is deeply intertwined with the city. She lived near the Taichung Railway Station and attended school in what is now the Taichung Prefectural Hall, passing the City Hall daily. The exhibition's recreation of an old Taichung street scene evoked vivid childhood memories for her, and she could pinpoint the exact location of her former classroom, her face lighting up with a happy smile.

Looking ahead, Huang hopes to create a model of the Second Market and had considered the Calligraphy Greenway but found the scale too large for now. Despite her advanced age, she remains physically robust and agile, demonstrating an enduring passion for her craft. The exhibition also includes a model of her three-story home and cherished photographs from her life, evoking nostalgia for past friendships with former colleagues.