Salmet Bistro: A Fusion of East and West in Design

Chiao Huang and Zack Tsai's Award-Winning Transformation of a 40-Year-Old House

Salmet Bistro is a 40-year-old house turned international bistro in Taiwan. The chef owner, after returning from Italy, decided to open a bistro that combines local Taiwanese ingredients with Western culinary techniques. This fusion of East and West is reflected in the design of the bistro, where the original building materials from the old house are presented in a modern way, creating a space that is both local and contemporary.

The design team preserved, reconstructed, and reassembled the red bricks of the old house with metal, iron, and wire to breathe new life into the space. The dark iron parts create a strong contrast with the red bricks, highlighting their presence and blending the old with the new. This combination of elements results in a stylish and modern aesthetic.

The design team also incorporated stone, a common material in the past, into the design. The stone flooring and wall decorations were produced by the only stone manufacturer in the region, adding a unique touch to the space. The wall light, made of curved stainless steel panels, stone, and red tiles, adds a rich layer of vintage texture to the space.

The bistro, which is 83 square meters inside and 15 square meters outside, includes a dining area, bar area, kitchen, and restroom. The design team extended the indoor bar to the outdoor area, blurring the boundaries between the interior and exterior and bringing the bistro closer to the village. The original door structure was slanted, but the design team used curved lines and shadows to create a concave visual effect, attracting passers-by to enter the space.

The project, located in Changhua County, Taiwan, began construction in June 2021 and was completed in October 2021. The design team faced challenges in combining old and new materials, particularly in fixing the old red bricks in the bar with the painted iron parts. They overcame this by creating concave iron parts that fasten to the red bricks without damaging the original structure and appearance.

The bistro was awarded Silver in the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2022. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder. The design of Salmet Bistro, with its blend of old and new, local and international elements, certainly fits this description.