The forms created through the bending and extension of metal remind me of the way plants grow in nature. Like blades of grass unfolding outward, the structure gently supports and complements the blooming flowers. Preserving the intrinsic character of metal, the piece takes the form of a vase, expressing a shared sense of blossoming between material and nature.
To link academic research with education, National Taiwan University Press (NTUP) is dedicated to publish scholarly publications through rigorous peer-review and professional editorial process. Accordingly, NTUP participated 2022 Taipei International Book Exhibition (TiBE) independently and attempted to showcase its core values of academic knowledge in the delicate expression of venue.
The venue is also a form of architectural space, and its design all starts with precise structural calculation, just as the academic review served as the cornerstone of NTUP.
Arcades, arches, arched windows, and arched columns frequently appear in the historical buildings on NTU campus. “Arch,” common architectural structure and element, extends beyond NTU campus and serves as the key visual design with structural supports of stacking unitized bookcases functioning as “arched columns.”
These “stacked columns” of bookcases in various combinations and sustainable uses represent “the accumulation of knowledge,” essentially similar to scholarly publications as the central pillar of the NTUP.
Given the fact that NTUP authentically features its publications in the academic context, its venue utilizes eco-friendly materials to faithfully demonstrate its original wood texture and then manifest the role of “book” in its key vision, when compared to large format printing frequently used in venue design.
The unitized seats not only are better utilized to arrange arbitrarily in multifarious geometric patterns served as lecture sessions or casual space for TiBE visitors, but also add visual variety to the venue design. With precise calculations, the overall installation process could be completed within 4 hours.
UNDER integrates objects typically placed on a side table—a lamp and a vase—beneath the tabletop, preserving a clean, unobstructed surface. Their silhouettes are incorporated into the table’s structure, allowing lighting and flower display to become part of its form. Developed in two variations, the project reconsiders the conventional placement and relationship of everyday objects.
Grille is an important, traditional symbol of Taiwanese life and has been an integral part of the Taiwanese landscape for decades. In Tainan, one can still find and see many of these traditional grilles, but sadly, this type of custom-made grille is rapidly disappearing in favor of cheap mass-produced grills. As a result, the craftsmanship of creating these grills is disappearing.
The Designer has combined this usually outdoor element, the grille, with another distinctly Taiwanese piece, the Bando stool (used for outdoor banquets). By merging these two different elements, the designer has crafted a piece that has a simple, clean and beautiful aesthetic that fits well in indoor environments.