Taichung’s efforts in the revitalization of historical old houses once again shines on the global stage! With memories spanning over 60 years, a former cosmetics factory has been transformed into the innovative cultural hub Fusion Space 1962 by CC Interior Design. Following its previous recognitions such as the German Red Dot Design Award and the Japanese Good Design Award last year, Taichung has now clinched the iF Product Design Award this spring, making it a recipient of all the three major world-class design awards. This feat further underscores Taichung's prowess in the cultural and creative sphere, garnering international attention. The Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Taichung City Government commends the team for successfully revitalizing old houses into creative models and encourages the public to visit these captivating creative expressions.

Director Chen Chia-chun of the Cultural Affairs Bureau noted that Taichung City has been actively promoting the revitalization of historical old houses for six years. Since Mayor Lu Hsiu-yen took office, there has been a concerted effort to preserve and revitalize cultural assets and aging neighborhoods. In 2022, the city government established the Taichung City Old House Revitalization Subsidy Guidelines, combined with the Ministry of Culture’s private old house subsidy project, resources from local businesses and privately-owned spaces to accelerate the restoration of old houses through design and aesthetics. So far, resources have been allocated for restoring 16 old houses and revitalizing 7 others. One notable success story is Fusion Space 1962 in Taichung's East District, which serves as a successful example of cultural management under the subsidy project.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau noted that Fusion Space 1962 originated as a cosmetics factory with a rich history of over 60 years. Its name is derived from the phonetic similarity to its location on Fuxing Road. With a focus on interdisciplinary innovation, CC Interior Design integrates a diverse array of activities, including consumer events, exhibitions, markets and educational courses. This fosters a living environment with collaborative efforts from workers and revitalizes the area into a dynamic cultural hub, while also serving as a model for repurposing old houses.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau noted that CC Interior Design not only repurposed discarded items from old factories into installation art but also preserved the original space and traces of its use appropriately, allowing visitors to experience the life and history of the old houses. Within the park, there's a diverse array of businesses including cafes, restaurants, fashion boutiques, florists, jewelers, fragrance workshops, doll shops, vinyl record stores, photography studios, bars, and second-hand bookstores. This transformation has turned the old houses into a fresh platform for Taichung's cultural and creative brands to gather, earning recognition with two world-class design awards in a row and receiving significant international acclaim.

The Cultural Affairs Bureau also noted that Fusion Space 1962 is currently hosting the "Old Times House" exhibition, which showcases vintage music videos and antique electronic devices alongside carefully curated items from the shops in the cultural and creative hub. The exhibition takes visitors back to the wondrous world of Taiwan's retro MTV booths in the 1990s, offering a glimpse into the allure of the bygone era. The exhibition runs until April 30. For more information about the event and subsidies for revitalizing historical old houses, please visit the Fusion Space 1962 Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/fusionspace1962), the Cultural Affairs Bureau's Taichung Old House Revitalization Subsidy Project website (https://www.tc-oldhouse.tw/), and the Taichung Original Design official website (https://www.tcod.com.tw/).