Tim Chen's "Dry Salon": A Modern Interpretation of Classical Art Salons

Winner of the Golden A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2020

The inspiration for the "Dry Salon" came from the concept of art salons. The project began as a renovation of an old house and evolved into a small, stylish café. The design leaves most parts of the ceiling, floor, and wall blank, allowing for a flexible use of space. The simple structure and material arrangement let users define the space according to their needs, fostering creativity and imagination.

What sets the "Dry Salon" apart is its unique approach to renovating and reorganizing the old house. The house, which is narrow and long, presented a challenge that was overcome through careful design planning. The exterior features a grille style that hides the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, providing both aesthetic appeal and easy maintenance. The interior includes simple stone and wood blocks that can be used as tables or chairs, and iron pieces built like a swing.

The realization of the design involved cleaning up the space to enhance both the outdoor and indoor quality. The external construction is defined by a grille that adds visual beauty and allows for easy access for repairmen. The indoor ceiling's rain shade was replaced with a transparent skylight to bring in natural light. The design uses a modern style to interpret classical beauty, connecting the space through various elements, from the logo on the external construction to the indoor circle chair, coffee table, and bar.

The design encourages interaction through its large glass French windows at the entrance, creating a connection between the indoor and outdoor space. The minimalist and open indoor space allows for free conversation and rest. Whether seated at the bar or near the entrance, people can easily interact and converse with each other.

The design research focused on achieving the atmosphere and function of an art salon. The designer beautified the external construction with a grille and introduced outdoor light through glass material. The overall visual style was simplified, and the design was adorned with a sense of modernity to complement the classical style. The use of metal materials added a touch of exquisiteness.

The main challenge was to transform the isolated and cluttered old house into an open, bright, and transparent space. The design had to maintain aesthetic consistency while catering to both function and maintenance convenience. The "Dry Salon" successfully overcame these challenges, resulting in a design that is not only visually appealing but also functional and easy to maintain.

The "Dry Salon" was awarded the Golden A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award in 2020. This prestigious award is given to outstanding and trendsetting creations that reflect the designer's talent and wisdom. They are celebrated products and ideas that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.