Kabir Patel True Thing Design Studio, based in Taiwan, has crafted OskayStore, a curated retail space housed within the historic First Bank Warehouse in Yancheng, Kaohsiung. Drawing inspiration from the rich cultural tapestry of Kaohsiung, the design integrates elements of the city’s landscape, history, and urban development to create a unique and engaging retail environment.
Conceptualization and Design Inspiration
OskayStore takes its name from the playful “pause language” used by children playing hide-and-seek in southern Taiwan during the 1970s and 1980s. True Thing Design Studio has translated this concept of hiding into a design technique, incorporating hidden corners and spaces within the store to add layers of intrigue and discovery.
Embracing Heritage and Identity
Confronted with the expansive six-meter-high warehouse space, True Thing Design Studio made a conscious decision to expose the original beams and columns, embracing the raw industrial aesthetic of the building. By utilizing raw materials in the interior decoration, the studio aims to preserve the warehouse’s identity while allowing for potential recycling and adaptation for future business activities.
Blurring Boundaries: Interior and Exterior Integration
Preserving the warehouse’s floor-to-ceiling entrance windows, True Thing Design Studio has introduced a “hideaway wall” to delicately blur the distinction between the interior and exterior spaces. A central bare column serves as a focal point, delineating different areas within the store while maintaining a sense of openness and continuity.
Spatial Configuration and Display Flexibility
To accommodate diverse display needs, the studio has incorporated variable-height platforms and large-section segmented calcium silicate boards within the soaring interior walls. Frosted glass and steel panels are used as half-height walls to define spaces of different attributes, allowing for flexibility in layout and configuration.
Vision for Kaohsiung’s Commercial Space
Through OskayStore, True Thing Design Studio seeks to evoke its vision for Kaohsiung’s commercial space, reflecting the ruggedness of the mountains, the calmness of the sea, and the urban development of the industrial port. Every corner of the venue is thoughtfully designed to engage with Yancheng Warehouse culture and create a memorable and immersive retail experience for visitors.
By seamlessly blending heritage, identity, and innovative design, OskayStore stands as a testament to True Thing Design Studio’s commitment to creating spaces that resonate with their surroundings and evoke a sense of place and belonging.
