Reviving Tradition: Pashih's Mesona-Inspired Concept Store

Chin Lun Yen and Chao Kai Wang's Award-Winning Design Fuses Old and New

The designers drew inspiration from the brand's key ingredient, Mesona, a plant used in making grass jelly desserts. The store's design reflects this through its use of a cement mixture finish, a technique imported into Taiwan during the Japanese colonial rule. This technique, juxtaposed with the store's modern, undulating form, creates a seamless transition between the old and the new.

The store's standout feature is a bar table that meanders through the shop, mimicking the elements of a hill and creek. Visitors "drift" along this table, moving from the merchandise to the counter, where they can watch the dessert being made, and finally to the seating area. The table is constructed from laser-cut plywood and finished with the same traditional cement mixture, reflecting the brand's commitment to combining the old and the new.

The design was realized using Rhino, a 3D modeling software. The freeform table's profiles were extracted and laser-cut on plywood panels. The surface was then finished with cement mixed with small pebbles, and a wet cloth was used to reveal the texture of the pebbles. This technique creates a textured surface that adds to the store's unique aesthetic.

Despite the challenges of constructing the bar table within budget and adhering to strict noise and dust control regulations during the construction stage, the design team successfully created a unique space that blends into the theater space and represents the brand's values. The project, which started in September 2020 and was completed in May 2021, is located in Taichung.

Through their meticulous research and innovative design approach, Chin Lun Yen and Chao Kai Wang have created a space that invites visitors to experience a journey of the senses. The Pashih concept store is not just a place to buy desserts; it's a place to see, feel, smell, and taste the brand's dedication to preserving tradition while embracing modernity.