Issue｜The Land is the Best Material Library

In the THOMAS CHIEN Restaurant design project, we continue the brand's sustainable spirit, drawing inspiration from Chef Chien's renowned dishes. This creation brings together over twenty local seasonal ingredients, transforming the vitality of the land into flavors that reflect the essence of the region, conveying the concept of local ecology through its ingredients.

Carrying this spirit, we attempt to transform the often overlooked waste materials in daily life into the space, converting local ingredients and waste into groundbreaking sustainable resources. We play with the recycling and regeneration of materials in the space, echoing the brand's value of the "Sustainable Dining Table."

The Taste Journey is a sustainably themed design project for THOMAS CHIEN Restaurant.

The Earth is an Endless Treasure, Waiting to be Discovered

The oyster shells left after enjoying a meal, which are high in calcium and unsuitable for incineration or landfilling, are transformed into a sustainable resource. After being calcined and ground, they become a cement-free natural coating material, layered on ceilings and walls with handcrafted troweled textures and varying fine details, creating depth in the space that echoes the essence of nature and sustainability. 

Another narrative of material regeneration is found in the discarded fishing nets drifting in the sea, often an ecological threat. Through reprocessing, these nets are transformed into organic, circular carpets, blending the room with environmental significance. These materials weave together the past and present of local waste, marking a journey of rebirth. The carpet, in its color tones, spreads symbols across the floor, representing the local memories of Kaohsiung’s harbor—gray sands and blue tides—interwoven in the imagination, forming a fluid feast of space circulation.

To effectively reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of indoor materials, we leveraged another area of industrial design expertise in collaboration with Dr. of Circular Materials. We collected slag residues from the smelting process at the local China Steel Corporation, combining them with oyster shell waste. Through 3D printing processes and structural design, we shaped a series of fluid countertops, table legs, and boat-shaped public chairs, creating innovative applications for material regeneration. 

One particularly interesting detail is the hidden support column under the tabletop, which is inspired by the traditional tablecloths. The softness of the tablecloth is transformed into the hardness of the pillar, creating a contrast between tradition and innovation, and adding a playful element between language and written context.

Read more: Sustainable Innovation: Decoding 3D Printing and Waste Upcycling Design Part I

Read more: The Taste Journey