At World Design Capital Taipei 2016, international design house curators to lay out blueprint for integration of design thinking with urban development on the theme of Sisheng: Quality of Life and Health, Ecological Sustainability, Smart Living, and Urban Regeneration

The International Design House Exhibition, one of four Signature Events taking place in October as part of the World Design Capital® (WDC) Taipei 2016, will present an inspirational exploration of how global cities can use design to face the continuing challenges of urbanization. The exhibition will showcase pioneering programs and projects from WDC Taipei 2016, while exploring the theme of Sisheng: Quality of Life and Health, Ecological Sustainability, Smart Living, and Urban Regeneration, and demonstrating the versatility and strength of Taiwanese design.

“We hope that the International Design House Exhibition will inspire Taipei citizens and visitors to come together and share their ideas as we open a new era where design thinking and public participation drive future development,” said Pei-ni Beatrice Hsieh, Commissioner of the Taipei Department of Cultural Affairs. “The World Design Capital’s most important legacy is Taipei’s transformation into a forward-thinking city with a design vision where every voice counts.”

The six pavilions of the International Design House Exhibition are located in Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. In the International City Pavilion One and Two, 13 participating international cities, countries and organizations from Austria, Beijing, Cape Town, Germany, Helsinki, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Osaka, Paris, the Philippines, Switzerland and Yokohama, will showcase their design strengths and share projects that illustrate the power of design to solve urban problems.

As part of the pavilion, an interactive exhibition from Eindhoven, the Netherlands, will invite visitors to design the ideal city, “Taipeindhoven”, using virtual reality software. Designers from Cape Town will showcase the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design Thinking at the University of Cape Town, also known as “D-School.” One of only three design thinking schools in the world, the institute trains university students, industry leaders, and public and private professionals, and is one of the key legacy projects of WDC Cape Town 2014.

“Taipei Issuuuue”, the theme of Taipei Pavilion Two, curated by Agua Chou of Taipei-based studio Agua Design, will showcase the results of innovative WDC Taipei 2016 projects, including the International Design Open Call and Designer in Residence programs, and explore the impact of public planning and design policies in Taipei City. The exhibition space will also be used for a series of interactive forums and workshops aiming to inspire visitors to consider problems currently faced by Taipei and help them learn how to solve them by applying design thinking methods.

In the Power of Taiwan Design Pavilion, curator Li Wei-Lang, the Creative Director for Afterain Design (Taiwan), will mount an exhibition called Breakthrough that will showcase innovation in Taiwanese design in the fields of science and technology, art and craft, and sustainability. Participating companies will include local crowdfunding platform zeczec and bathroom fittings design and manufacturing firm Sheng Tai Brassware Corporation, which also owns the famous brand JUSTIME.

In Taipei Pavilion One, Page Tsou, celebrated visual artist and founder of Taipei-based studio Auspicious Design, will present Visual Taipei. This exhibition will feature over 300 works by renowned illustrators, graphic designers, and visual artists from around the world, including Jim Stoten (UK), Natsko Seki (Japan), Einar Torkowski (Germany), and Julien Pacaud (France). Several of these artists have been commissioned to create works reflecting their impressions of Taipei. The exhibition will also feature classic Herman Miller Eames Molded Plastic Chairs printed with the works of 15 artists, and a movie theatre showing animated artworks.

Renowned Taiwanese contemporary calligraphic artist Tong Yang-Tze will present From Ink to Apparel: A Crossover between Calligraphy Art and Fashion Design. This collaborative exhibition will feature the works of six up-and-coming Taiwanese fashion designers: Apu Jan, Shao Yen Chen (founder of Shao Yen), Justin Chou (Just In Case), Kilin C. (Homme Van Lab), Pei-jie Chen (Chiehms), and Shunmin Wang (Fu Yue). Tong is determined to remind people of the artistic expressiveness and cultural significance of handwritten Chinese characters and to breathe new life into traditional calligraphy.

The International Design House Exhibition, located in the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., from Thursday 13 October to Sunday 30 October, and is free for all visitors. Other major events in October include the International Design Policy Conference, the weekend of 15 and 16 October at the Taipei International Convention Center; the International Design Week Forum, held at the Taipei Fine Arts Museum on Monday 17 October and Tuesday 18 October.