Cha-Mi: A Unique Chinese Medical Clinic in Taipei City

Combining Tradition and Modernity for Effective Healing

Situated in the bustling Songshan district of Taipei city, Cha-Mi Chinese Medicine clinic stands out as a unique and innovative healthcare facility. Designed by Li-Yu Cheng and his team at StudioX4, this clinic offers a refreshing approach to traditional Chinese medicine, providing patients with effective and harmless herbal therapy.

Unlike typical storefronts at ground level, Cha-Mi is located on the third floor of a building, offering patients a higher level of privacy. Spanning across 495 square meters, the interior of the clinic features consulting rooms, a dispensary, VIP therapy rooms, and laboratories.

The design of Cha-Mi is characterized by its concentric form, inspired by the natural shape of a seed. This round and effortless contour breaks away from the stereotypical clinic design, creating a soothing and calming environment for patients. The use of clean white backdrops and oak woodworks adds to the minimalist aesthetic, promoting a sense of tranquility. Natural light freely transmits through the three different elevations, enhancing the illumination and creating an enticing visual experience.

One of the key challenges in the design was to ensure efficient patient flow and avoid excessively long passages between consulting rooms. To address this, the layout of the clinic follows a centralized-circle plan, inspired by the contour of a satellite. The therapy rooms are dispersed, creating decentralized routes that merge with the registration and dispensary sections, resulting in a centralized layout. This design approach not only improves patient navigation but also minimizes blind spots and enhances accessibility for elderly patients.

In addition to its unique design, Cha-Mi incorporates intelligent automation systems at the registration, dispensary, and payment areas. These systems streamline the consulting process, reducing waiting times and aligning with the growing trend of technology integration in healthcare.

The interior of Cha-Mi also reflects the essence of herbal therapy. Six test tubes filled with seasonal herbal grasses are displayed around the registration area, symbolizing the cycle of life and death. This artistic representation serves as a reminder of the clinic's commitment to herbal medicine and its connection to the natural world.

The Cha-Mi Chinese Medicine clinic project started in November 2019 and was completed in June 2020. It has received recognition for its innovative design, winning the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category in 2021. This prestigious award acknowledges the clinic's outstanding creativity and resourcefulness, as well as its contribution to improving the quality of life for patients.

With its unique design, commitment to herbal therapy, and integration of technology, Cha-Mi Chinese Medicine clinic sets a new standard for healthcare facilities. It successfully combines tradition and modernity, providing patients with a serene and effective healing environment.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Li-Yu Cheng
Image Credits: YHLAA
Project Team Members: Li-Yu Cheng Yu-Chen Chen
Project Name: Cha Mi
Project Client: Li-Yu Cheng


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