A new patisserie in Taipei’s Da’an District, Season, offers a unique blend of French pastry traditions with Milanese and Asian influences. Designed by Ecru Studio for Chef Hung, a pioneer of traditional French pastry in Taiwan, the space draws inspiration from 18th-century Parisian salons, combining Art Deco and Art Nouveau elements with Asian motifs.
A Blend of Cultures in Design
The patisserie, housed in a building from the early 1970s, features four distinct zones: a pastry showcase, a giftable sweets area, a salon-style seating lounge, and a nine-seat island bar. Each area has its own identity, yet they are seamlessly integrated into a cohesive whole. The design includes a custom wood floor inspired by Milanese design and hand-painted murals referencing Shang Dynasty symbols and Asian textile patterns.
The color palette transitions from refined shades of blue to deeper, theatrical tones like red, ochre, and gold. Floral fabrics, velvet, and decorative fringes meld European elegance with a distinctly local Taiwanese spirit. Jin Chen, co-founder of Ecru Studio, notes that the use of blue as the primary color reflects Chef Hung’s vision for a calm and elegant brand identity.
Asian Elements Anchored in Locale
Asian influences are prominent throughout the space. In the gift zone, the fabric on the twin benches features abstract, symbol-based patterns unique to certain Asian textile traditions. The designers collaborated with local artist Genggeng to create a mural inspired by an ancient Shang Dynasty motif. They also referenced antique trim catalogs, vintage dessert packaging, and old textile shops to develop the material and color language.
The design process was guided by Chef Hung’s philosophy of restraint, learned during his years studying pastry in France. This principle led to decisions like leaving one wall partially bare, allowing the mural to feel like a fragment of memory rather than a centerpiece. Randy Tu, co-founder of Ecru Studio, emphasizes the emotional richness and visual unexpectedness of the space, achieved through experimentation and precision.
A Shared Language of Design
Photography by Dean Hearne captures the essence of Season, while the design by Ecru Studio showcases their ability to blend cultural influences into a cohesive and emotionally rich space. The result is a patisserie that not only serves exquisite pastries but also tells a story of tradition, innovation, and restraint.
