Original BTC Taiwan: A Lighting Store Designed with Natural View

Lighting is an important element in a room. Good lighting will create depth and comfort and attract attention. In addition, using light and shadow can also create a dramatic sense of space and a different atmosphere. Original BTC Taiwan is one of the lighting stores located in an alley near Zhongshan MRT station, occupying the first floor of a 4-story apartment building. Its location near a traditional temple further enriches the local scenery of Taiwan and serves as the design inspiration for the store to retain some old building elements.

"We want to disrupt the stereotypes of an exhibition hall by presenting it in a way closer to a gallery and an exhibition space. We want to change the idea of lighting for the visitors." Said Soar Design Studio as Designer of Original BTC Taiwan.

The Entrance of Original BTC Taiwan 

The natural scenery presented by Soar Design Studio originated from the idea of mountains and forests. The process of unearthing the initial idea came to mind that people would use artificial fire instead of lights that illuminate and warm themselves in a dark wilderness filled with trees. So, they wanted to display beautiful lighting images through the metaphor of the mountains. The garden section outside the store building has green trees and new gravel on the floor. While on the terrace facing the garden, semi-indoor plants with natural wooden boards and dim lighting.

Garden Area of Original BTC Taiwan

The Terrace with Nature View of Original BTC Taiwan

Some of the old building elements still retained in this store's design are red floor tiles, a warehouse that was converted into a garden, a small kitchen converted as part of the gallery space, walls, and some building support structures left exposed. In addition, the entrance wall was moved to the back for the courtyard, introducing a view from the front yard to remove the boundaries of the old space. The outer wall boundary is made of transparent glass with large openings to market the products inside.

Large Glass Wall to Show the Products Inside

The inside of the store is made with a circular circulation like a winding road in the mountains and brings out an imaginary experience for customers who come to enjoy the natural scenery. Free circulation also makes this lighting product exhibition dynamic and fun. On a dark night, warm white LED lights installed linearly on the wall illuminate with soft light. Coupled with the predominance of the gray color of the floor, walls, exposed ceiling, and columns of black structures create a cave-like atmosphere that is only illuminated by the dim light of the candle.

Dim Lighting Gives the Impression Like in a Cave

The gallery is designed with and without light, featuring beautiful scenery to ensure customers find the right lighting to support aesthetics and functional aspects. The immersive approach encourages customers to experience the space and lighting effects. White winding boards dominate the interior and ceiling for displaying light products. 

Dim Lighting Gives the Impression Like in a Cave in the Mountain

Dim Lighting Gives the Impression Like in a Cave

Soar Design Studio also brings a natural "chi" atmosphere and changes the techniques of eastern painting (landscape painting and Ukiyo-e). In Ukiyo-e paintings, snow or waterfalls are often depicted in pointillism applied to ceiling and floor point motifs. While the lights on display depict white flowers in the forest, and the wavy boards on the ceiling are clouds. Its main purpose is to introduce natural landscapes in mountains and forests, bringing a sense of flow in space in a dynamic composition so that customers can experience the figurative world of eastern painting.

The Atmosphere Inside the Original BTC Taipei

Chandeliers on display in the Gallery