Louis Poulsen’s new Taichung store in Taiwan follows the success of the Taipei mono store. In fact, it was recognized with an award for the best retail store 2022 by Louis Poulsen. JYT Design is a local partner which has worked with the brand to create the space in the Taiwan arts hub which is known for its museums, design boutiques, art installations and fine dining.

Located at Sky Green, a biophilic building by WOHA Architects, the Taichung mono store ties together a number of important strands. It meets the corporate ESG sustainability of Louis Poulsen as well as expressing the brand through the specificity of a mono store – functional and modular display solutions with special emphases on nature, tranquility, modest colours, soft architecture and the effect of illumination on surfaces and space. 

The showroom is divided into two levels with the ground level covering 23 square metres and level three a generous 90 square metres. With limited space on the ground and lacking the large window like the eye-catching one in the Taipei mono store, the designers had to use some ingenuity.

To convert the space constraint into a characteristic, Florian Meuser, Louis Poulsen’s regional architect, set the ground level focus on novelty and new products. The display can be changed every six months, highlighting the brand’s seasonal product campaigns and creating an ever-changing point of attraction to draw shoppers in. Meanwhile, a 60 centimetre PH Artichoke, the iconic design of Louis Poulsen, is placed at the front window in order to make a statement of brand identity. 

Moving upstairs, the main display area of the store is composed of three sections – decorative, projects and outdoor. Another PH Artichoke, 75 centimetres this time, is displayed at the entrance of level three as the visitor transitions to the decorative area. It provides a statement and an echo of the iconic design at the store window.

Two large islands are dedicated to Poul Henningsen, Louis Poulsen’s key iconic designer, showcasing his entire product range while the decorative area also covers various collections by designers including Arne Jacobsen, Verner Panton, Vilhelm Lauritzen, Øivind Slaatto, Nendo- Oki Sato, and more. A moss wall in the decorative area brings colour through natural and biophilic elements that evoke Scandinavian design. 

Further along, the ‘cash and carry’ area provides a charming touch to display small and colourful products such as Panthella portable and AJ table lamps which can be easily picked up for Christmas and birthday presents.

The designers have packed variety into the store and next comes the wall lamp area and experiential room. The former is a new and innovative attempt to meet the preferences of local customers; it groups products not by designer but by category. The experiential room is also an exciting new approach for Louis Poulsen. Customized LED lighting with Bluetooth control demonstrates the differences of colour temperature, light distribution and reflection to help customers make decisions and improve their shopping experience.

The Louis Poulsen Taipei mono store opened in 2021 has already driven rising demand, brand awareness and business growth. With focused design in such a vibrant area, the Taichung mono store is expected to follow the same pattern and generate potential for the local market.

At its core, Louis Poulsen’s mono store is an interpretation of Scandinavian aesthetics and the ‘Hygge’ lifestyle that aims to light up Taichung city. By incorporating functional input from local partners without compromising on the corporate design framework that Louis Poulsen has developed for the Asia market, the Taichung mono store is a unique and complete showcase of Louis Poulsen’s brand history. It is a holistic experience that “designs to shape light” and emphasises the importance of lighting for private residences and interior design projects.

Louis Poulsen’s mono store is located at No. 103, Section 2, Gongyi Rd, Nantun District, Taichung City, Taiwan.