03 - Hanin + Chandaline

08.30 - Chen's Wood, Home Work Studio, and Star Hostel Taichung

Quotes For Wood Packaging

Professor Meichun Shaving Wood 

The first week of our program ended, and now we are headed to Taichung. From Taipei to Taichung, it was about a 2 hour long bus ride. Along the way, we reflected on our time in Taipei and our experience with the NTU students. We were also given Taiwanese snacks, such as Kuai Kuai from Professor Meichun and Kiki. 

Our first activity in Taichung was at Chen’s Wood, where we met the owners, and they shared their story of how their craft has been passed down through generations. The current third-generation owners are Han Hui Qing and her husband, Chen Xi Yan. This year marks the 100th year of their wood carving shop. Their craft is also inspired by Taiwanese culture; for example, they mentioned how their measurement for wood cutting is determined by choosing lucky numbers, while avoiding unlucky numbers that are associated with bad health and luck. At Chen’s Wood, we also met the NCKU students for the first time. We were able to bond with them by helping each other with the wood carving tools that the owner let us try. The owners also let us pack the wood shavings as a souvenir to take home. There were two kinds of wood, and each provided a different scent. We were able to choose between three different quotes to seal our wood package. 

The NCKU students then also joined us on the bus, and we went to the Home Work Sustainability Studio together. The owner welcomed us to the bottom floor of his store. We all sat down on the floor and he shared his design career background and journey of building his studio. We learned about his works and inspirations. He emphasizes sustainability and the circular economy. He is also inspired by the book, “Design For the World”.

Students Listening At His Studio

Later that day, we arrived at the Taichung Star Hostel located above a department store, where we also met the owner, Liao Chen-hsiang. The owner collaborated with the designer of Home Work Sustainability Studio. He gave us a tour of the hostel and gave us a background of the materials he built this hostel upon. He mentioned using sustainable materials and everything in this hostel is designed with intention. For instance, he shares that there is only 1% plastic used. 

Student Touring The Star Hostel

09.01 - National Taiwan Craft Research Institute, Caotun: Lin Qun-han Bamboo Weaving

    On September 1st, we had breakfast all together in the morning with a beautiful and relaxing view over Taichung city. At 9 am, we then all headed on the bus with the NCKU students to go explore at the National Taiwan Craft Research Institute. We spent about 2 hours there as the institute had 6 venues to explore. There was the Craft Design Hall, Regional Craft Hall, Craft Culture Hall,Craft Brand Concept Store, and Living Craft Hall. As a group, we then walked to a restaurant nearby for lunch, called Renben Ziran Taiwanese Restaurant. There were many koi fish outside the restaurant. 

Regional Craft Hall

Our final activity of the day was bamboo weaving! Many of the students did not expect how difficult it would be. We were given 3 hours to attempt creating a bamboo woven book cover. It was extremely difficult, however, the owners kindly helped us when we were stuck. As we were having a difficult time, one of our classmates also played some music in the background to lift the mood. Towards the end of our session at the workshop, the owners’ children also came by and said hi to us! We said our goodbyes at the bamboo studio, and we headed back to the Taichung Star Hostel to end the night with free time and some good rest.