Forward Coffee Introduction
The aesthetic style of the café contributes to the urban streetscape. Originally located at the timber factory area of Chiayi City, the blue café standing at the street corner moved to the neighboring iron factory at the end of 2021. Partnering with the Bai Shui design team, it preserved and deconstructed old elements while incorporating new aesthetics for a reconstruction. Abandoning modular design thinking, it introduced natural raw materials, designer furniture, and artist-painted wall sculptures to present a stylized display, creating a dialogue between new and old industrial styles across time, thus crafting a unique coffee streetscape in Chiayi. When it comes to the historic buildings of Chiayi, most people think of wooden houses, but the iron factory café, which presents such a grand scale, has drawn attention since the opening of "Forward Coffee Workshop 2.0". The owner, Mario, realized the importance of cafés in shaping a city's streetscape when he returned to Chiayi to start his business in 2016, making aesthetic style a priority. With the opportunity to plan the second store, he placed even greater emphasis on this aspect. The original intent of moving into this abandoned iron factory, which had been vacant for nearly 30 years, was for baking, teaching, and exhibition purposes; however, due to the impact of the pandemic, it was decided to merge it with the café. Nevertheless, Forward Coffee 2.0 remains committed to "offering only coffee and desserts." Image source: Chiayi City Government Tourism News Office | Photography: Marg
