Top: Signage for the new DESIGN PIN

Located at the historic Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei, Design Pin showcases and retails award winning products created by established and emerging Taiwanese designers. Products currently in stock include works of Kenyon Yeh, Xcellent Lighting, Afterain Design, DHH studio and KIMU Design.

Inside the newly renovated DESIGN PIN

The building was originally built by the Japanese during the 20th Century to process liquor and tobacco. Despite housing new content, the historical detail remains as part of the space, forming core inspiration behind the revamped retail presentation.

Close up of shelving inside the newly renovated DESIGN PIN

The transformation was helmed by Japanese retail industry expert, Yu Yamada, of Method Inc and Eleven Design Studio. He sought to reconnect the past and present in an accessible format. Steel warehouse units were utilised as shelvings reminiscent of the space’s warehouse past. Painted in gold, they reflect the identity of the Golden Pin Design Award.

“The shelves are carrying the concept of the store: that it is a storage warehouse connected to the Golden Pin Design Award,” says Yamada.

The layout of the store is based on a considered division of four categories: Products that received a Golden Pin Design Award; Products that received other foreign design awards, whom the Design Pin has a relationship with, such as the Red Dot; Products that did not receive any awards but were made in Taiwan or by young Taiwanese designers, as well as Japanese products.

These core sections also serve as guiding principles for products that are retailed in the store. Additionally, a small room located at the back of store is dedicated to products inspired by the Huaren culture.

“This is a store for Taiwanese designers, and I wanted it to feel like a storage place for [Taiwan design]. The concept is very simple, direct, and easy for people to understand. I chose to tell these simple stories so that it would be very easy for the shop staff to explain the idea behind the space to the customers,” he elaborates.

Golden Pin Design Award
goldenpin.org.tw

Method Inc
wearemethod.com