Pumpkin House: A Halloween-Themed Restaurant

Bringing the Spirit of Halloween to Life

The Pumpkin House, designed by Bryan Chang, stands out in the heart of the city with its captivating exterior. The original two-story light steel structure building was transformed using various manual bricklaying crafts to pile up and modify the exterior walls, elevating the facade. This design choice not only distinguishes the restaurant from adjacent buildings but also reinforces the structure without compromising its overall proportion, achieving a perfect balance between safety and visual presentation.

Inside the restaurant, the design continues to impress. The ceiling retains its original steel texture, while elegant jazz blue painted timber and red bricks create an amusing contrast of hues. The ground is adorned with warm retro tiles, complementing the solid wood and stone bricks on the sides. The use of pinewood shapes the wall surface from the first to the second floor, creating an attic-like atmosphere. The clever use of lights extends the vertical visual perception, adding depth to the space.

One of the standout features of the Pumpkin House is the private section on the second floor. Here, recycled wine bottles are used as partitions, creating a semi-private space while also showcasing the restaurant's commitment to environmental performance.

Throughout the design process, the team simulated 1:1 scenes to ensure every detail was perfect. For example, at the entrance of the first floor, bricklaying was used to construct an opening image, while warm pinewood created a staggered effect of intervals, resulting in a genial and concise spatial environment with a natural flavor.

The Pumpkin House is not just a restaurant; it is an experience. With its rich, fantastic colors and humanistic temperature, customers can enjoy flavorful meals while also being immersed in the bizarre surprises of daily life. The toilet, often overlooked in spatial planning, becomes a major point of interest in this project. Placed on the second floor, it features a distinct landscape and is surrounded by exhibitions, creating an interactive journey for visitors.

The Pumpkin House project started in December 2013 in Taichung and was completed in July 2014. The design team, led by Bryan Chang and including Ray Ho, conducted extensive research to ensure the space embodied the desired humanistic qualities. The result is a restaurant that stands out not only for its delicious food but also for its unique and captivating design.

This exceptional design has been recognized with the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category in 2020. This prestigious award honors designs that exhibit strong technical and creative skills, contributing to quality of life improvements and making the world a better place.