ROU by T-HAM Concept Store

ROU by T-HAM concept store is an innovative combination of a modern butchery and a restaurant. The store is a new business subsidiary of T-Ham, which is Taiwan's oldest, and the largest producer of processed meat. The design of this meat store not only defined an updated corporate spatial identity for this 50 year old company, but also resolved complicated program requirements in a confined space.

The result is a butchery like no other in design and atmosphere. The design concept of a 'fridge interior' permeates the space through rounded forms, curved corners and customized lights. A combination of natural materials keeps the ambiance natural and comfortable. Careful zoning of raw and cooked meat sections, intelligent design of storage and furniture for future maintenance contributes to a hygienic and practical meat shop.

The butchery on the ground floor is divided into a raw meat zone and a cooked meat zone to ensure food hygiene and to prevent cross contamination. The use of natural materials and textures create a soft and relaxed atmosphere. On the walls, large panels of marble resemble the textures of meat, recycled wood chip and cement panels creates a richly textured ceiling. Sandstone tiles cover the floor, wood veneers cover most of the display islands and cabinets. Customised "volcano" shaped lighting units were designed to seamlessly fuse with the ceiling panels. Upstairs, the dining space is open-planned. Thick curtains and sliding doors hidden in columns can be used to flexibly partition the space into smaller private sections.

Internal colours and tones were carefully orchestrated. A cooler light grey colour scheme was applied to the butchery. In contrast, tones of brown such as walnut and Chinese Parasol tree veneers were used in the dining space to present a 'warmer', more enclosing feel.