Paper Dome

The Paper Dome (紙教堂), located in Puli, Nantou, is a structure built from 58 paper tubes. It serves as a site for Taiwan-Japan earthquake reconstruction exchange and embodies the origin and practice of the Butterfly Kingdom initiative in Puli. Adjacent to the Butterfly Park, it is an important ecological habitat and a great destination for family trips.

The story of this church dates back to the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake in Kobe, Japan. Renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban designed the original structure, which was built to aid in the reconstruction efforts following the earthquake. However, after a decade, the space was no longer sufficient for its intended use. At this time, the president of the New Homeland Foundation learned of the situation and proposed relocating the Paper Dome (紙教堂) to Nantou County, which was severely affected by the 921 earthquake.

The Paper Dome (紙教堂) presents distinct features during the day and at night. During the day, visitors can appreciate its architectural aesthetics, while at night, the illuminated structure offers a unique spectacle. Not only is it a significant cultural landmark in Puli, but it also represents hope and rebirth.

In 1995, the devastating Kobe earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 struck Japan, resulting in over 6,400 deaths and more than 43,000 injuries. The earthquake also destroyed 250,000 buildings, including the Takatori Catholic Church, where the statue of Jesus miraculously remained intact. Shigeru Ban, a well-known Japanese architect, was among the millions of volunteers who rushed to Kobe to aid in the recovery efforts.

During the earthquake, 60% of the buildings in Kobe were severely damaged, including the Takatori Catholic Church, where the statue of Jesus miraculously remained intact. The locals attributed this to a divine intervention and called for the immediate renovation of the church. Shigeru Ban stepped forward and offered his talent, using cardboard tubes as the main structural material. Despite each paper tube weighing no more than 60 kg, they were able to support weights of up to 1,500 kg, equivalent to the weight of 20 people. With the help of 160 volunteers, the temporary church, named ""Paper Dome (紙教堂),"" was built in just five weeks, serving as a reminder of the catastrophe that brought people together.

However, as the number of residents continued to grow, the temporary church was no longer able to accommodate all the worshippers. In 2005, the local government decided to replace the old structure with a new concrete one. At that time, the president of the New Homeland Foundation happened to be visiting Japan to attend activities marking the 10th anniversary of the Kobe earthquake. Learning that the Paper Dome (紙教堂) was soon to be torn down, the president proposed relocating the memorable building to Nantou, which had been severely affected by the 921 Earthquake in 1999.

On May 29, 2005, the last service was held, and local residents bid farewell to the church that had helped them through hard times. In 2008, the Paper Dome (紙教堂) found a new life and mission in the Taomi Community of Puli Township, continuing to provide solace to the victims of natural disasters.