Architectural Decoration and Cultural Connotations of Bao’an Temple in the Houtong Mining Area

This study examines the cultural significance of religious architecture in mining settlements through the case of Houtong Bao’an Temple in New Taipei City, employing Lefebvre’s spatial triad and Lawrence’s vernacular architecture interpretive framework. Established during the peak of the mining industry under Japanese colonial rule, the temple has long served as a spiritual center for miners and a hub for community cohesion, reflecting the interplay between Minnan immigrant culture and industrial society. The analysis addresses perceived space, conceived space, and lived space to investigate the architectural characteristics of the Sanchuan Hall, Jiaozhi pottery, porcelain paintings, swallowtail ridges, and feng shui orientation. The findings reveal a dual didactic strategy combining the Martial Saint and Filial Son narratives, alongside corporate governance logic embedded in the spatial design. In response to industrial decline, this paper proposes an integrated management framework encompassing material preservation, contextual interpretation, and community participation, advocating for the recognition of Bao’an Temple as a living cultural asset to sustain local faith practices and collective memory. The temple holds substantial value for research in religion, history, and cultural heritage.