Ceramic Forest: A Unique Office Design Inspired by Ceramic

Creating a Visually Comfortable and Artistic Workspace

The elevator lobby of the Ceramic Forest office is a visual masterpiece, symbolizing the kiln and surrounded by timberwork. The designers have captured the warm and stern beauty of kilns through a grey-scale color palette, creating a personable texture. LED lighting adds a layering effect to the interior, while special door panels and installation artwork featuring motifs of Taiwanese Folk Art create a strong visual contrast in this area.

One of the standout features of the Ceramic Forest office is the use of ceramic design elements and vocabulary throughout the space. As the supplier of ceramic products for Starbucks, Nobel Ceramic and Tiles has incorporated their own brand, Cilin, into the office design. The overall office space features white wall cabinets, grey Bolon carpet, and black metalwork as its main elements, creating a sleek and modern aesthetic.

The realization of the Ceramic Forest office involved the use of various technologies and materials. The reception lobby, designed to exude the humble beauty of ceramic, was treated with elegant grey plaster primer paint. Mexin ceilings and Bolon carpets were used in the interior to create a quiet working environment with excellent acoustics.

With an interior area of 514 square meters, the Ceramic Forest office has been carefully planned to optimize natural lighting and views. Supervisor offices are located near the perimeter of the site, allowing ample natural light to flood the interior. Spaces such as the server room, dark room, and accounting office are allocated in the side area, while the VP office, legal office, and staff working area are located in the inner area.

The Ceramic Forest office goes beyond being just a workspace. The merchandise showroom, designed to express the core imagery of the products, is a museum of exquisitely made objects. Every segment of the showroom is infused with brand characteristics, making it an ideal location for product introduction and sales discussions.

The design challenges for the Ceramic Forest office were overcome through careful consideration of color, size, and spatiality. The white minimalist design is complemented by geometric linework, creating a sense of order and layers. Recessed openings for product display further enhance the transitional space, maintaining a balance between functionality and aesthetics.

Working in the Ceramic Forest office is not just about productivity but also about experiencing a visually comfortable environment. The semi-open areas feature independent working areas, demarcated by curtain-wall glass that allows natural light to penetrate and capture the vitality of the white color scheme. The overall interior is well-lit and bright, optimizing the spaciousness of the workspace.

The Ceramic Forest office, completed in October 2013, is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of I-Ju Chan, Hsuan-Yi Chen, and Su-Huang Hung. By incorporating ceramic design elements and vocabulary, they have created a unique and visually stunning workspace that showcases the beauty and versatility of ceramic.

Image Credits: Kyle Yu Photo, 2013

Awards and Accolades: The Ceramic Forest office was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category in 2020. This prestigious award recognizes designs that exhibit strong technical and creative skills, contributing to quality of life improvements and making the world a better place.