【JC. Awards】 2024 Architizer Awards Public Voting by Johnny Chiu

2024 Architizer A+Awards 投票,送台灣登上國際舞台

我們很興奮地宣布,柏成設計入選世界知名建築網站 Architizer 2024 A+Awards 「Best Public Projects Firm 最佳公共專案事務所」的決賽!是該類別唯一來自台灣的公司,邀請大家一起投票,送台灣登上國際舞台!

Architizer A+Awards 的民眾投票現開放至 5月 10 日,每 24 小時可以投票一次。

請先登入帳號(如沒帳號可申請新帳號),點擊此連結:https://shorturl.at/gjHTW

在 "JC. Architecture & Design (柏成設計)" 之下點擊 VOTE (投票) ,然後再點擊 Confirm Vote (確認投票) 進行投票。

或點擊柏成設計檔案中的連結進行投票!

We are excited to share that JC. Architecture & Design has been selected as a Finalist in this year's Architizer A+Awards, and you can help us to become a winner!

Vote for our firm in the Best Public Projects Firm category by logging through Architizer, and clicking 'VOTE' under 'JC. Architecture & Design' and then 'Confirm Vote' to send your poll. Users can vote once every 24 hours.

The Public Voting is now open on Architizer A+Awards' website till May 10th. Visit the link here: https://shorturl.at/gjHTW

These are the steps to follow.

【Meet JC. Members】- Executive Associate, Macoto Chen by Johnny Chiu

Vol. 1

How to find the ideal company? What type of people is or isn’t a good fit for JC.? Is sustainable design a false proposition?

1:Let's talk about your past so we can get to know you!

I have attended art school since elementary school and graduated from Fu-Hsin Trade & Arts School. I began working at the age of 18. At first, I wanted to be an artist but realized that artists would starve to death, so I chose interior design. My father was in the interior design business, so I've been exposed to these things since I was a kid. In terms of experience, I didn't graduate with a bachelor's degree, but I have more practical experience.

My first company was a construction engineering company with a carpentry factory on the first floor and a design office on the second floor. Then, I worked at about seven or eight design companies. Every year, I would change companies to learn different things. I would consider switching companies if there's no room for further development.

The smallest company I've ever worked for was one with only three of us, the boss and I. It was more of a one-stop shop, where I had to start from the beginning of the project, sign the contract with the client, and design the project until the end of the project. I prefer small companies to large ones because the division of labor in large companies is particular. If you join a company today to do 3D drawings, you will probably be doing 3D drawings for the rest of your life, and you won't be able to cross over to different fields and try other things.

2: Why did you choose to join JC. Architecture & Design?

After working at seven or eight companies, I started to think about what kind of working environment next. My Fu-Hsin Trade & Arts School teacher also gave me advice; he said, "Look for a company that will win awards." I started to look for companies that had won TID (Taiwan Interior Design Award) awards and whose work I liked.

My previous experience was mainly in residential design, and I had less exposure to commercial space. When working in a company with only three people, I had the opportunity to work on commercial projects. My boss thought I was a good fit for that direction, so I looked for more commercial space design firms.

I discovered JC. through TID and looked at past awards, not just from one year but from all the years. Although my educational background may not be ideal, I still wanted to try it.

When I first came to JC, I had three interviews before I joined. Because JC. might emphasize academic qualifications (e.g., university graduates) and foreign solid language skills (the founder was a returnee from a foreign country), I had to go through three interviews to get in. During the three rounds of interviews, we chatted and looked at my previous works to assess what the company needed and what I wanted.

3:You have been working at JC. for nine years! Why are you still passionate about it? What do you find interesting about this job?

Every year, I get burned out; everyone does it eventually!

Whenever it happens, I reexamine whether I want to change jobs or industries. However, I realized that I still want to stay in this company. There are still a lot of things I can learn here. On the other hand, the fact that the company needs my presence gives me another incentive to stay here, which is a sense of responsibility. That's one of the reasons why I'm sticking around.

As for overcoming fatigue every year, I travel abroad twice a year and participate in some outdoor activities. Although I still have to face those problems after returning home, at least my body and mind are relaxed, and I have time to rest. So I can cope better with the work pressure. Otherwise, if you are always working, you want to leave soon.

As for the fun of working at JC., apart from learning a lot, the company has a very good working atmosphere. Unlike other design firms, the atmosphere here is more open, and we are not restricted as much as in different firms, which makes us work more happily. That's important because, compared to big companies, they may have more constraints.

4:What is the most challenging and memorable project you have encountered? How did you overcome it?

Every project is challenging and memorable (laughs).

The most impressive project would be the Young Designers' Exhibition in 2019. Two days before construction, it got canceled due to the pandemic. The exhibition was later turned into an online exhibition. Still, the cancellation of the physical exhibition at that time caused a lot of losses, and we spent a lot of effort and bought all the materials from the manufacturers.

Not only us but also the students suffered a lot. More than 30 to 40 students spent a whole year preparing for the exhibition, and the students' cabinets were all contracted out, so we were blamed by the students and the vendors at that time, which was a very miserable experience.

Fortunately, our client was the Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI), so they could bear all the burden. In contrast, it would be tough to bear such pressure if it were any other curatorial organization. This experience has made me realize that there are still a lot of uncontrollable factors in this pandemic.

Another challenging project was the Lovinflame exhibition in Japan in 2017. When I took a red-eye flight to the site, I found that the staff at the exhibition site were not so friendly to foreigners, and I encountered many difficulties, such as not being able to unload large containers. Furniture was also damaged during transportation, and in addition to having to do repair work, I was under constant surveillance by the other party.

These difficulties are not about the customer or the design but about the communication with different countries and what can be done to improve it. It was a challenging experience, but we presented the work successfully and received praise from both the client and the public.

5:Proudest moment? Why?

It would have to be when "Not Just Libraries" won the Golden Pin. I told them I would win the award when I first came in. The only time I've been on stage was for the Golden Pin, so I was proud of that moment. I've been in this industry for almost 20 years, and the atmosphere of receiving an award on stage for the first time is something I've never felt before.

In fact, "Not Just a Library" took a short time; the design took about half a month, and the construction took less than a month. Because of its storytelling, it can achieve a lot of publicity, so it's something to be proud of.

6:A Truth or Dare for Design Industry Peers

We have been talking about sustainability for many years, but I think it's all bullshit. 

Sustainability is not possible in the architecture and interior design industry. All materials are still consuming the world's energy. The more environmentally friendly materials are so expensive that no clients will want to use them. Even if we use environmentally friendly materials, we will still add plastics and other environmentally unfriendly ingredients, making it impossible to achieve true sustainability.

Of course, it is not only by using environmentally friendly materials that we can be sustainable, just as JC. advocates that every Thursday is a sustainable day. Buying lunch using a lunch box is also considered sustainable, and purchasing coffee using your cup is also sustainable. Still, these behaviors are on a personal level, not an industrial level.

Note: If you have other ideas about sustainability, please feel free to come to JC. for a chat.

7:Could you share what your future would look like?

I didn't know I would stay in this company for so long. I want to see young friends grow stronger and surpass me. Because times are changing, it's natural that each new generation excels the previous. If that happens, I'll let go of my responsibility and do what I want to do. Maybe open an izakaya or a B&B complex on Orchid Island. I've been in the interior design business for so long (longer than Johnny and Nora in terms of years in the industry) that I'd like a change of scenery.

8:Is there a project that you want to do?

I've done residential, commercial, transportation, and exhibitions. I would like to do something bigger and more exciting and also learn something new, such as a zoo or an aquarium. I've been to Okinawa, Japan, and seen quite a few. Their zoos are incredible, and their aquariums are in a completely different realm.

Another thing to consider is remodeling an airplane because the interior of an aircraft could be more excellent.

9:Do you have any advice to share with the new JC. designers?

I think the most important thing for new designers is to be a child at heart. Initially, we were all enthusiastic and eager to do everything or participate in many different designs. Still, we may become depressed when we encounter many failures. When you are constantly criticized or rejected, your self-confidence will weaken, but you have to find out what is wrong with your design. What were the reasons that you couldn't convince clients or colleagues? Only in this way can you improve your design.

Maintain a child-like mindset, rechallenge yourself even when you fail, and understand the reasons for failure rather than dismissing others' criticisms. Negative feelings are bound to happen, but when you finish complaining, you need to go back and think about what went wrong with your design and then improve from there. 

For more senior designers and PMs, I hope you don't forget your roots and don't become, in Taiwanese, a "back-bone kid (disloyal kid)"; that is, forget the company that taught you. Every company has good and bad points; no company is perfect. Even if you choose to leave a company, don't do anything to dishonor that company; those are all valuable experiences.

10:If your good friends are considering applying for a job at JC., how would you describe JC.?

I would say that JC. has a wide range of exciting design projects. There are some unexpected things to try, too. But they wouldn't be a good fit for our firm if they don't like to do things repeatedly, like changing drawings and proposals indefinitely. For example, our proposals have been reduced to three types, whereas there were 10-20 types before.

In addition to doing beautiful design, JC. likes to tell stories, so you should be able to tell stories. JC. is more of an experimental design company. It's like doing chemical experiments to keep trying and repeating A + B, B + C, to pop up a new thing; if you don't have such mentality and patience, you should not join us. Many colleagues said JC. had a diverse project, so they wanted to be part of it. But when they left the company, they said, "I think the company is not suitable for me because there are too many repeated operations."

Designers and anyone wanting to join JC should realize this unless you're joining JC. today as a pet, then you don't have to (laughs).

【JC. 成員專訪】-執行協理 Macoto 鄭至成 by Johnny Chiu

Vol. 1

尋覓理想公司的心法?不適合加入 JC. 的特質是什麼?永續設計其實是個偽命題?

1:先聊聊你過去的經歷,讓我們認識你!

我國小就讀美術學班,畢業於復興美工, 18 歲就出來工作。我一開始是想當畫家,但是發現畫家會餓死,所以就選擇室內設計。我爸是做室內裝修的公司,所以從小就是接觸這些東西。以經驗來講的話,我不是本科系畢業的,比較偏實際和工程上面的操作。

我第一間公司是在一間工程公司,它一樓是木工的工廠,二樓才是設計公司的辦公室,後來再輾轉去大概七、八間設計公司。每一年我一定會換一間公司,學習不一樣的東西。如果在一間公司已經學不到新的東西或者沒有發展的空間,我就會考慮換一家公司。

我待過最小的公司是加我和老闆總共只有三個人,比較偏向一條龍的作業,我要從接案開始、跟客戶簽約、設計到工程結束。我比較偏好小型公司,不太喜歡大型公司,因為大型公司的分工分得很細,今天進去的職位如果是畫 3D 圖,那可能之後都是畫 3D 圖,沒有辦法跨足不同領域,去嘗試不同的東西。

2:為什麼當初選擇加入柏成設計?

我在經歷了七、八間公司後,開始思考我想要的是什麼樣的工作環境。復興美工學校老師也給我建議,他建議我:「要找會得獎的公司。」於是我在 TID(台灣室內設計大獎 Taiwan Interior Design Award)上開始尋找有得獎,而且我也喜歡他們作品的公司。

之前我的經驗主要是做住宅設計,對商業空間的接觸相對較少。但在那間只有三個人的公司工作時,我有機會參與了一些商業空間的專案,而那時的老闆也認為我蠻適合這一方向,所以我開始尋找更多的商業空間設計公司。

我透過 TID 發掘了柏成設計,查看過去的得獎作品,不僅限於某一年的作品,而是歷年來的作品。雖然我的學歷可能不是設計公司理想中的標準,但我還是想試試看而投履歷。

當初進來柏成設計的時候,我其實是面試了三次才進來。因為柏成可能比較注重學歷(如大學畢業)和較強的外語能力(老闆是從國外回來)。所以在三輪的面試中,我們就是在聊天,然後看以前的作品,互相去評估公司需要的跟我所想要的適不適合。

3:你在柏成設計工作了 9 年!為什麼你仍可長保熱情 ? 覺得這份工作的樂趣是什麼?

每年我都會遇到職業倦怠,每個人都會有這樣的時候吧!

每次這個時候來臨時,我都會重新檢視,我是否想換工作,或者我是否想換行業。但是,我發現我還是留在這家公司。我認為在這裡還有很多東西可以學習。另一方面,公司需要我的存在,給予我另一種動力留在這裡,我覺得這是一種責任心。這是我堅持下去的原因之一。

至於如何克服每年的職業疲乏,我會一年出國旅行兩次,參加一些戶外活動。就是先暫時逃避,雖然逃避完回來還是要面對那些問題,但是至少身心靈有放鬆,讓自己有時間休息,就能更好地應對工作壓力。不然如果都是一直在工作,會很容易有想要離開的念頭。

至於在柏成工作的樂趣,除了學到很多東西外,我覺得公司的工作氛圍也很好。和其他制式的設計公司比較不同,這裡的工作氛圍更加開放,我們不像其他公司受到太多限制,這讓我們更加開心地工作。我覺得這點很重要,因為相比於大公司,他們可能有更多的束縛。

4:目前遇過最具挑戰和刻苦銘心的專案?當時怎麼克服的?

我覺得每個案子都很困難和刻苦銘心(大笑)。

印象最深刻的專案,應該是 2019 年的「新一代設計展」。這個展覽在開始進場施工的前兩天,因疫情而停展。這場展覽後來轉為線上,但當時實體展的取消造成了很多損失,我們花了很多的心力,也跟廠商買完備料。不只是我們,包含學生也很痛苦,有超過三、四十間的學生花了一整年的時間去準備,學生自己的櫃位也都發包了,所以那個時候我們是被學生罵,被廠商罵,非常慘的一個經歷。

但還好我們的客戶是設研院(台灣設計研究院),他們才有辦法扛下來所有的東西,如果今天是其他的策展單位的話,會很難有辦法扛得住這樣的壓力。這次經歷讓我體會到,在這個疫情之下,還是有很多不可違抗的因素。

另一個比較具挑戰性的專案,是 2017 年在日本的「Lovinflame」 展覽。搭了紅眼班機到現場施工時,我發現展覽地點的人員對於外國人不是那麼友善,遇到很多刁難,像是大貨櫃不能進去卸貨等。家具在運輸過程中也受損,除了必須進行修復工作,還被對方持續的監視。
這種困難不是客戶或者是設計上的困難,而是跟不同國家之間的溝通, 能怎麼樣能夠改善。這次的經歷讓我感到非常具挑戰性,但最終我們還是成功地展示作品,獲得客戶和民眾的好評。

5:最感到驕傲的時刻?為什麼?

應該是「不只是圖書館」得金點設計獎(Golden Pin)的時刻。我從一開始進來的時候,就是跟他們說我要得獎。我唯一有上台就是金點設計獎,所以覺得那個時刻還蠻驕傲的。我從事這個行業大概已經快 20 年了,第一次上台領獎的氛圍,是之前做任何案子都沒辦法有的感受。

而且「不只是圖書館」其實花了很快速的時間做,設計大概花半個月,工程施工不到一個月,但因為它有故事性,可以達到很多的宣傳效果,所以覺得蠻值得驕傲的。

6:業界同行的真心話

大家很多年一直在談永續這件事情,我覺得都是在說屁話。永續對我們建築室內設計這個產業來講不可能做到,所有材料都還是在消耗全世界地球的能量,比較環保的材料就是貴到沒有業主會採用,即使使用環保材料,還是會添加塑料等不環保成分,無法達到真正的永續性。

當然不只是使用環保材料才能有辦法永續,就像柏成提倡每週四是永續日,買午餐用便當盒去裝,也算是一個永續;買咖啡用保溫瓶去裝,也是永續,但這些行為是在個人層面,不是在產業層面。

備註:如果你對永續議題有其他想法,歡迎來柏成聊聊。

7:你覺得自己的未來是什麼樣子?

其實我不知道我自己會待在這間公司待這麼久。我希望看到更多年輕的朋友們能夠越來越茁壯成長,甚至超越我,因為時代在變遷,長江後浪推前浪,這是自然的。如果是到那樣的情況,我就可以放下責任心,做自己想做的事情,或許是開一間居酒屋,或是在蘭嶼開一間複合式民宿。我已經在室內設計這個行業做了太久了(如果以這個產業的年資來說的話,我比 Johnny 跟 Nora 還要久),所以也會想換個環境。

8:那有想做的專案嗎?

住宅、商空、交通、展覽,我都做過了。如果真的要說的話,應該會想要做比較大規模但又有趣的案子,還可以學到新鮮的東西,像動物園或水族館,我之前去日本沖繩看了很多,他們的動物園做得很酷,水族館也完全是不同的領域。

再來就是改造飛機吧,因為飛機的內裝都不是很好看。

9:對於柏成的新進夥伴,有哪些分享與建議可以勉勵彼此?

對於新進的設計師,我認為最重要的是保持一顆赤子之心。一開始進入公司時,大家都充滿熱忱,渴望把每件事情做到很好,或是參與很多不一樣的設計,但是可能遇到很多次的挫敗就變得消沉。當你不斷的被吐槽,或被否決,你的自信心就會變弱,但你要從中去察覺自己的設計有什麼樣的問題?你沒辦法去說服對方、同事,大家不買單的原因是什麼?只有這樣,你才能把你原本所畫的東西,去調整到更好。

要保持像小孩子一樣的心態,失敗了也要重新挑戰,要了解你失敗的原因,而不是去否定別人的批評。負面情緒是一定會有的,只是當你抱怨完之後,你要回頭想想看你自己的設計到底出了什麼問題,然後再從這邊改進。

比較資深一點的不管是設計師還是 PM,我希望大家不要忘本,不要成為,台語的話叫做「背骨仔」,就是忘記原本那間公司曾經教過你。每間公司都有好的地方跟不好的地方,沒有一間公司是十全十美。即使你選擇離開某間公司,也不要做出對不起那間公司的事情,那些都是珍貴的經驗。

10:如果你的好朋友正在考慮申請柏成的工作,你會如何向他們描述柏成?

我應該會說,柏成有多元又有趣的設計案子,也會有一些意想不到的事情可以嘗試,但如果他們不喜歡反覆頻繁、重複做事情的話,像是無限地改圖、提案,那他可能就不適合來我們公司。像是我們的提案目前已經縮減到三種,之前還有 10~20 幾種。

柏成喜歡講故事,不只是做美的事情,你也要有說故事的能力。另外,柏成比較偏向實驗性設計的設計公司,就像在做化學實驗,就是要不斷嘗試、不斷重覆進行 A+B、B+C,才能夠蹦出一個新的東西,如果沒有這樣的心態跟耐心,那真的不要進來。之前有蠻多同事離職,一開始說柏成很多元所以想進來,到後面離職的原因是:「我覺得公司不適合我,因為公司一直在反覆操作作業。」

不只是設計師,只要想來柏成的人都要有這種認知。除非你今天是要來柏成當寵物的話就不用(笑)。

Opening of Island133 and MIXPOP at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park by Johnny Chiu

We are happy to announce the opening of Island133 and MIXPOP in Songshan Cultural and Creative Park!

松菸園區位於城市的中心,乘載著台北的過去與未來;過去園區可製造年產量約20億支的香菸,而其中的機械修理廠就專責修繕所有製菸器具設備,距今近百年的修理廠是園區內非常獨特的建築,外觀屬於日本初現代主義的風格,強調視覺垂直水平,並保有工藝美學的木造窗框及木桁架結構,形式簡潔、典雅,堪稱當時工業廠房的楷模。

Island133是世界廚房,是松菸的中島,是台北的中島,也是台灣的中島,以味覺旅行在場域中帶入不同的體驗;在木構造建築中放進了三個全新的方塊量體,像是鑲崁在老屋中新的對比空間,沿用舊有機械的工業感以及產業的職人精神,褪去老舊鏽蝕印象,轉換為帶有反射性的不鏽鋼面材,與建築木造結構互相映照,有著歷史的痕跡卻不陳舊,前衛俐落而不冷冽。

餐廳中的金屬方盒像是藝術品般的吧台及舞台,以伸展台意象延伸、連結於用餐空間內,在自由穿梭間創造包圍、沉浸的用餐體驗;左右兩側的黑色地坪面中鑲崁台灣花蓮石材產地的石材板,運用在地、天然、不規則形狀的石材板呈現台灣特色意象。

展演空間能依季節時令變換展演主題,如同空間中的時空膠囊。方盒量體的牆面也能自由翻轉成為桌面、層架,依不同展覽需求做彈性的空間配置型態;希望能匯聚不同國家、產業的策展活動,在古蹟建築內創造更多新穎、有趣的交流,帶入越在地、越國際的嶄新面貌及體驗。


We're thrilled to announce the opening of Island133 and MixPOP at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park!

Nested in an old cigarette manufacturer, Island133 is a unique piece of architecture with touches of early Japanese Modernism. Following the industrial sense of old machinery but putting away the old rusty impression, Island133 reflects on the traces of history by having reflective stainless steel surfaces, converting the space into not only a restaurant but also a work of art.

@island133.tw

#Island133 #Islandmixpop #Islandkitchen #創新 #當代 #現代 #松山文創園區 #exhibition #foodie#松菸

Malaysia we are coming! by Johnny Chiu

The MIID #REKA Conference is organized annually by Malaysian Institute of Interior Designers ( #MIID ) since 2013. The event carries the objective of bringing the best minds to Malaysia and providing a platform for them to share their thoughts on design.

The theme for this year is ‘#RESURGENCE’ where the normalization of post-pandemic conditions has led to the acceptance of everyday life towards intermittent lockdowns, social distancing, movement control, work from home and virtual learning.

We are glad that our principal, Johhny Chiu, is invited as a speaker to share how interior design provides innovative ideas and solution to respond to the rapidly changing and uncertain futures.

馬來西亞室內設計師協會每年都會舉辦盛大的 The MIID REKA Conference,並聚集世界知名設計師一齊探討、分享室內設計上的新意。

今年大會的主題為「#復甦」,且非常榮幸地,我們的創辦人-邱柏文先生受邀擔任講者, 將在這重要的舞台上,分享室內設計如何應對當前快速變遷的世代與充滿不確定因素的未來。

Welcome to join on Oct 29th to make that change, creating a rebirth, reborn and renaissance in #Malaysia.

非常歡迎於 10 月 29 日於馬來西亞,與我們一同創造改變、重生與復興。

「2022城市博覽會」將於4/22到5/2在基隆舉行! by Johnny Chiu

昨日是 「2022城市博覽會」記者會!
屆時博覽會以整個基隆城市為展場,
由我們柏成設計設計主展館,
匯聚國內多個知名創意整合、展演策劃專業團隊,
共同打造為期11天的城市博覽會。

2022 City Fair will behold in Keelung from April 22th to May 2nd.
The fair will locate in the whole of Keelung city, and the main area is designed by us including other noted Taiwanese designers, artists, and curators.

「鳴日廚房 The Kitchen」首發記者會! by Johnny Chiu

看見列車完工
廚師、餐飲真的搬上了火車
現場能還能有那麼多媒體記者朋友們前來體驗

這一切宛如夢想成真
很開心柏成設計能有機會再次設計臺鐵列車
並打造台灣第一台移動廚房!

It’s a dream come true for us to see the train finish its design in person, Invite the chef and move all the dine on the train. Most importantly, there are so many friends from the press media to be here today to experience by themselves.

We are really grateful to join this project to design the Taiwan Railway again and build the first Moving Kitchen In Taiwan!

Find us on 2022 IFI GAP Awards Ceremony! by Johnny Chiu

昨日上午七點是2022 IFI GAP全球卓越設計大獎的線上頒獎典禮。

很開心我們的「千分之二北美館」榮獲了商業類的金獎!

且「不只是圖書館」榮獲了人文類組的銅獎!

感謝 臺北市立美術館 Taipei Fine Arts Museum台灣設計研究院 TDRI 與我們的合作,

雖然因為疫情無法舉行實體的頒獎典禮,

但大眾仍能透過下方連結查看世界各地的翹楚,

也開心能讓全世界都看見我們的設計!

Yesterday is the virtual ceremony of the 2022 IFI GAP Awards!

Our “A Little Museum Store” won the Golden Award in Commerce category. Besides, “Not Just Library” is also awarded the Bronze Winner in Humanitarian category.

Great thanks to our clients and collaborators. Though there is no physical ceremony due to the covid, people around the world can still view the great design from the world and our design through the link.

https://ifiworld.org/ifi-gap-2022-awards-ceremony/