We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Chen-Chi Hung about their original and creative Flagship Store design work. Chen-Chi Hung is an award-winning architectural designer, that makes our world a better place with their original flagship store works.
Chen-Chi Hung ("CH") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Timescape Flagship Store. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
CH : This project was commissioned by Mr. Chen, the owner of Yuan Watches Store. The Taiwanese luxury watch industry has experienced various phases, from the industrial era of the 1990s to the booming import of luxury goods in the 2010s. However, in 2023, facing globalization and urban decline, establishing a local brand identity and brand spirit has become the latest challenge. In contrast to traditional commercial spaces that focus on space efficiency, this project plans multi-functional exhibition and relaxation areas, commercial booths, and display windows in nearly a 1:1 ratio. Art installations are used as spatial dividers, providing opportunities for various brands to host theme events and achieve a higher level of artistic promotion. The inspiration for the design not only stems from the understanding of the concept of "time" but also incorporates the client's expectations for the fourth-generation store. This project is the result of collaborative growth and collective thinking.
CH : The renovation of Yuan Store aims to enhance the brand identity experience rather than relying on a signage.The goal is to integrate the street facade with the interior,creating a unified identity and immersive experience.Showing the importance of cultivating a continuous ambiance to establish a distinctive sense of place.The goal is to create an experience that leaving citizens eager to explore.Commercial stores should function as urban slices contributing to a more vibrant urban and lifestyle.
CH : Our recent design achievements and award recognitions propel us forward into the realm of boutique space design. Simultaneously, we leverage our design expertise to assist in corporate brand transformation, create marketing topics, and contribute to the creation of distinctive architectural landscapes. Moving forward, we will continue to drive the planning and design of international brand offices, factory spaces, and boutique brands, aiming to present design works imbued with even deeper cultural significance.
CH : This design project took a total of 3-6 months to complete, including design discussions and iterative adjustments.
CH : This project was commissioned by Mr. Chen, the owner of Yuan Watches Store.
CH : Currently, there is no such project in place, but there are collaborative projects underway with design firms, construction companies, and the construction industry.
CH : Collaborating across disciplines with architects and landscape designers allows us to transcend the architectural constraints of interior design, extending our design thinking to integrate with exterior building facades and surrounding landscape environments. Cross-disciplinary collaboration is a crucial breakthrough key, and we will continue to strive in this direction in the future.
CH : Our target clientele consists of connoisseurs and collectors with an appreciation for luxury watches. We aim to provide them with a space that transcends mere watch procurement, serving as a venue for watch enthusiasts to gather, attend exhibitions, appreciation events, and art showcases. A well-designed space offers a new lifestyle paradigm.
CH : Timescape, as its name suggests, embodies the landscape of time. Catering to the luxury watch industry, our design showcases the interplay of light and shadow to reflect the passage of time. Aligned with the client's vision for their fourth-generation store, our aim is to create a space centered around the theme of time, capable of influencing and impacting the surrounding landscape.
CH : The facade and pedestrian arcade are connected with a continuous curve,the metal mesh resembles that of the marble,establishing a material continuity between the exterior and interior.This fosters a flow from the urban into the pedestrian scale.The choice of using metal mesh is inspired by the similar ability of metal watch straps to create smooth and hard surfaces.While serving as the building's facade,it allows sunlight and wind to penetrate through. We employ a module of metal mesh to fashion a smooth surface and a gentle curve,maintaining both vertical and horizontal faces. 1.Display windows with perspective draw attention to the product display. 2.The multifunctional lobby accommodates various exhibition events. 3.The theme wall presents stunning artistic effects and achieves spatial differentiation. 4.Media cabinets showcase digital information about the products. 5.The brand cabinets feature individual characteristics and allow for flexible arrangements. 6.The Watch Workbench, combined with a metal mesh wall, serves as an aesthetically pleasing spatial endpoint.
CH : For this design project, we integrated the expertise of interior designers, landscape designers, architects, construction factories, and construction supervisors, each providing specialized support to collectively achieve the success of the project.
CH : 1.The challenge lies in the large-scale stone cutting technique with a pronounced curvature, shaping an entrance image that flows like water and exudes grandeur. 2.Challenging the tension and regular arrangement of the expanded mesh material, with a focus on proportion control and construction quality, to create a majestic and gracefully coordinated architectural facade design.
CH : We aim to provide ourselves and our clients with an interim assessment and affirmation upon the completion of the project, while also leveraging it as a resource for subsequent marketing endeavors. Therefore, we are focusing our attention on internationally renowned platforms like the A’Design Awards, known for their professional ratings and aesthetic cultural significance.
CH : Understanding the importance of integrating various professional skills, as well as the ability to empathize with customer needs, budgets, and engage in iterative communication, are crucial. Additionally, effective team organization and financial planning within the company are equally important.
