LiNong Elementary and Alpha Brass Build Qilian Stone Pizza Oven

Taipei Municipal LiNong Elementary School (臺北市立立農國小) Promotes Food & Agriculture Education

Building a Unique “Qilian Stone” (唭哩岸石) Clean, Energy-Efficient Gas Pizza Oven with Safety Valves from Alpha Brass Controls Inc.

Located in Beitou District (北投), Taipei, Taipei Municipal LiNong Elementary School has been actively advancing food and agriculture education on campus. With creative vision, the school’s program director incorporated Beitou’s distinctive Qilian Stone to build a one-of-a-kind “Qilian Stone” pizza oven.

This innovative oven allows students not only to learn about food and farming, but also to explore the history of Qilian Stone and experience a meaningful blend of tradition and modern sustainability.

Qilian Stone (a type of quartz sandstone) originates from the Mushan Formation, the second oldest geological layer in the Taipei Basin. It is primarily found in the Qilian area of Beitou. Known for its exceptional durability, acid resistance, and ability to withstand extremely high temperatures (1,600–2,000°C), Qilian Stone has been widely used since the Qing Dynasty in architecture (such as the historic Taipei city walls), industrial applications (including steelmaking and kiln materials) and hot spring bath facilities. Its long history makes it an iconic material deeply connected to the local landscape.

LiNong Elementary places strong emphasis on the balanced development of students. In addition to classroom instruction, the school frequently integrates local community features, environmental education, and natural ecosystems, such as the nearby Guandu and Junjianyan (Battleship Rock) (軍艦岩) areas, into its curriculum. These programs encourage students to connect with their environment through hands-on exploration.

For this special project, Director Mr. Yang envisioned building a pizza oven using Qilian Stone in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Unlike traditional wood-fired pizza ovens, this unique oven is powered by low-pressure gas components manufactured locally in Taiwan by Alpha Brass Controls Inc. The system incorporates high-quality safety valves and burners, creating a cleaner and more energy-efficient solution that reduces carbon emissions and minimizes environmental impact.

The result is a truly distinctive Qilian Stone gas pizza oven, where heritage material meets modern safety technology.

Through thoughtfully designed coursework, students experience the full journey of pizza making, from selecting fresh ingredients, kneading and shaping the dough, and then baking in the Qilian Stone oven.

By using the Qilian Stone pizza oven, students not only deepen their understanding of food preparation, but also strengthen their connection to the land beneath their feet.

Repurposing Qilian Stone into a functional, sustainable pizza oven breathes new life into local cultural heritage—preserving tradition while innovating for the future.

This project beautifully demonstrates how education, sustainability, and community culture can come together in one inspiring oven.