The Moving Kitchen – is a 54-person moving restaurant, a unique train travel experience as it drives the guests to the hidden nook and corner of Taiwan. Perhaps the connection between people, food, and the scenery creates a perfect amalgamation of a tasting experience. With talented chefs bringing you freshly made food as it reaches multiple locales, the view coming live from the expansive windows, one is moving while taking a bite of the sights, the food, and mayhaps take away the memory – a luxurious supper combined with a travelling experience.
Architizer chatted with Johnny Chiu from J.C. Architecture to learn more about this project.
© JC. Architecture & Design
Architizer: What inspired the initial concept for your design?
Johnny Chiu: What brought us closer to this project was the Taiwanese landscape that comes with its local society, the revitalisation and bringing the local chef on board that welcomes and brings the experience of eating the freshes food together.
© JC. Architecture & Design
This project won in the 10th Annual A+Awards! What do you believe are the standout components that made your project win?
The standout components that made a different is how we used an old train – a business model that everyone can learn from: It’s a great day for the 132 year old Taiwan Railways Administration where we unveil the design of the new island tourism train, refurbished from trains that are over 70 years old, this move is seen by the public not only as a step up for new business opportunities to revive the conventional railway networks in competition from the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation, but more importantly as a step up to relook at how innovative design policies can transform an outdated 15,000 people administration at a national level.
© JC. Architecture & Design
What was the greatest design challenge you faced during the project, and how did you navigate it?
Using an old train was probably one of the greatest challenges during the project. However, another great task that we overcame was the government body. To work with a very conservative subject wasn’t easy but what we did was trying to build and change their confidence in us, to prove to them that things are possible.
Besides, in order for all cooking appliances to run smoothly, we needed to boost the engine three times stronger so that the extra support would give the kitchen its needed energy. Additionally, fixed chairs are redesigned at a 45-degree angle, which allows the arrangement to be comfortable as one moves in and out of their seat.
© JC. Architecture & Design
How did the context of your project — environmental, social or cultural — influence your design?
Passionately letting Taiwan’s culture and the local community influence our design, all details were presented through different highlights of ‘The Moving Kitchen’.
Uprising the local community, we wanted to open up townships across Taiwan, allowing the public to visit forgotten stations and destinations to see the hidden part of the island. Then, we also kept in mind the potential for the local economies to re-energise, pushing new growth and opening up possibilities for fresh ingredients to meet prominent chefs, making ‘The Moving Kitchen’ a destination and a connection to our community.
Besides, by upcycling the 50-year-old-semi-retired wagons, we also used domestic artisans to build fine furniture and to customise all details from artistry lights to calligraphy fonts.
© JC. Architecture & Design
What is your favorite detail in the project and why?
The lead that drove our selection of materials used in this project was mainly to keep the Taiwanese elements throughout.
Accompanying an interesting fact about the route of ‘The Moving Kitchen’, which is how both sides of the train stay the same as the vehicle runs its course. One always faces the ocean while the other looks at the mountain, this clue gave us an idea for our concept.
Boldly removing all colours and bringing in the black marble and white tabletop, this use of shade creates a contrast between the materiality to the wooden accent on the ceiling. By doing so, the approach enhances the ocean view, directing one’s focus to concentrate on the natural sights and all the beautiful platings of food.
© JC. Architecture & Design
How have your clients responded to the finished project?
The finished product caught a lot of attention from the public, which goes to show that we accomplished the main goal. From receiving attention across the media to having the tickets for the train sold out, we believe this speaks volumes about how the clients and the general responded to the project.
How do you believe this project represents you or your firm as a whole?
Representing our mission and the message we wanted to convey, the design and ‘The Moving Kitchen’ itself shows that designing is diverse and anything can be designed. From an idea, then later having a presence in real life, design is not only the measurement or the approach, but it is also a lifestyle and a way of thinking. Last but not least, it is a testament to prove that even when we face challenges, instead of looking at the negativity, we redirect our focus to finding solutions and ways to turn drawbacks into opportunities.
How do you imagine this project influencing your work in the future?
More or less, ‘The Moving Kitchen’ has definitely opened up a new chapter for us. Lending us an eye to the possibilities in future projects that we didn’t get to delve into before, it exposed us to another area of work where we could further explore our own limits, imagination, and ideas.
For more on The Moving Kitchen, please visit the in-depth project page on Architizer.
The Moving Kitchen 
