Press Release
Izakaya 9am 5pm Restaurant by Tim Jen and Min Chen Is Granted the Silver A' Design Award in Interior Space and Exhibition Design
Tim Jen and Min Chen of squaremeter Design Studio acknowledged for interior space and exhibition design by the international grand jury of the 2024 - 2025 A' Design Award & Competition
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 21, 2025 /DesignNewswire/ Izakaya 9am 5pm Restaurant by Tim Jen and Min Chen of squaremeter Design Studio has been granted the Silver A' Design Award in the Interior Space and Exhibition Design category, A' Design Award & Competition has announced. The result belongs to the 2024 - 2025 A' Design Award & Competition and was reached through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who assessed anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
What the Silver A' Design Award Means
The Silver A' Design Award celebrates top-tier designs that embody excellence and innovation. This award acknowledges creations that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional, reflecting the designer's deep understanding and skill. Silver A' Design Award recipients are recognized for their contribution to raising industry standards and advancing the practice of design. Their work often incorporates original innovations and elicits a strong emotional response, making a notable impact on the improvement of everyday life.
About Izakaya 9am 5pm Restaurant
This project is located in Tainan, regarded as the most historically significant city in Taiwan. Therefore, the design concept aims to present various materials in their original forms to create spatial depth while showcasing the rustic charm of Tainan. The concrete bar counter serves as the core of the space, surrounded by copper plates and raw wood veneers that will change in appearance over time. This symbolizes the unique culture of Tainan, which has developed through historical transitions and evolution.
About Tim Jen and Min Chen
squaremeter Design Studio specializes in interior design with a focus on the integrated planning and execution of commercial and residential spaces. Its team develops site-specific commercial environments by incorporating local cultural context and spatial functionality, while offering highly customized solutions for residential interiors. The company explores the application of diverse materials across varying conditions and collaborates across disciplines to deliver end-to-end services, from conceptual development to on-site execution.
About squaremeter Design Studio
squaremeter Design Studio specializes in interior design with a focus on the integrated planning and execution of commercial and residential spaces. Its team develops site-specific commercial environments by incorporating local cultural context and spatia
Award Record
Tim Jen and Min Chen of squaremeter Design Studio is a winner of 1 A' Design Award, including this recognition.
About the A' Interior Space, Retail and Exhibition Design Award
The A' Interior Design Award is an international interior design competition recognizing good interior designs by interior designers and architects worldwide. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to interior designers, interior architects, architects and decorators from all countries. Typical entries include residential interiors, restaurants, hotels, offices, galleries and retail stores. The awarded interior designs are published at https://designers.org/design-category/interior
About A' Design Award & Competition
Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is to advance society through good design, by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, uploading a work and receiving a preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://designers.org/162938
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/162938
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!162938
- Laureate Profile: https://designers.org/d/356717
- Further Information from the Laureate: https://reurl.cc/Ej5grk
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
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Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Izakaya 9am 5pm Restaurant
- Function
- Restaurant
- Category
- Interior Space and Exhibition Design
- Discipline
- Spatial Design
- Industry
- Architecture and Packaging & Retail
- Colors
- Maroon, Black, Saddle Brown, Sienna and Dark Slate Gray
- Images
- 5
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Tim Jen and Min Chen
- Country
- Taiwan (China)
- Brand
- squaremeter Design Studio
- Recognition
- Silver A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2024 - 2025
- Design ID
- #162938
Credits
- Team
- Tim Jen and Min Chen
- Image Credits
- Photographer Weimax Studio, 2024.
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- A handcrafted concrete bar counter was designed as the core element of the entire space. After the concrete was poured, the owner was invited to participate in the chiseling process, deepening the connection between the owner, the customers, and the space itself. The bar is surrounded by untreated copper plates and raw walnut veneer, which will change in appearance over time. This symbolizes the unique culture of Tainan, shaped by historical changes and evolution.
- Inspiration
- This project is located in Tainan, one of Taiwan's most historically rich cities. Connecting the restaurant with Tainan's history was the primary design consideration. Therefore, various materials were presented in their original forms to create spatial layering while showcasing Tainan's local culture. By integrating the local culture of Tainan's ancient capital, the design preserves the building's rustic charm while infusing it with new vitality.
- Research
- The site of this project is located in a city rich in historical and cultural background. Therefore, the goal is not only to create a unique design but also to develop a space that integrates local cultural characteristics. Materials that are raw and evolve over time, such as copper sheets, concrete, and natural wood veneer, have been chosen as part of the design solution. The integration of people, space, time, and place is the core of the design philosophy. Consequently, context-sensitive design has always been the primary consideration and goal.
- Challenge
- Integrating the design with the original building conditions was the biggest challenge, leading to several proposed solutions. The green tiles on the exterior of the building and the walnut veneer on the interior, along with contrasting colors and gold brass accents, create a harmonious overall space with a bright focal point. The original flooring and the gray color of the new concrete bar contribute to the calmness of the space. The wall of the staircase leading to the upper floor features a high-brightness blue color, transforming the space and reducing visual fatigue caused by the same color tone over a large area.
- Realization and Technology
- The original building's green tiles on the exterior were retained and complemented with walnut veneer on the interior. The contrasting colors are accentuated with gold copper sheets. Additionally, the original gray marble flooring was preserved and paired with a newly constructed concrete bar counter, enhancing the overall stability and groundedness of the space. The design maintains the building's original features, striking a balance between historical elements and new materials, ensuring that the building stands out in the alleys of Tainan without appearing out of place.
- Operation and Interaction
- In terms of the flow of use, the space used by consumers and staff is separated, with the front area, where consumers are located, as the main focus of the design. In the back area, a large kitchen space has been planned to ensure that staff do not interfere with the consumers' route when delivering or receiving food. This arrangement allows consumers to enjoy a better dining experience.
- Project Duration and Location
- This project was completed in December 2023 in Tainan, Taiwan, and officially opened in January 2024.
- Specifications
- The site is an old four-story house. The first floor is primarily designated for dining and the kitchen, while the second floor serves as private dining rooms. The third and fourth floors are allocated for staff rest and storage of goods. The design focuses mainly on the exterior and the spaces of the first and second floors. The total designed area for the first and second floors is 65 square meters.
- Keywords
- Natural, Izakaya, squaremeter Design Studio, Taiwan, Tainan
