Taichung City Government

The Taichung Green Museumbrary officially opened in mid-December last year. Featuring the integrated design of the Taichung Art Museum and the Taichung Public Library, it creates a cultural space that blends art and reading while serving as a lifestyle-oriented venue close to the daily lives of citizens. To enhance visitors’ experiences, the Museumbrary has established two public service areas. These spaces host collaborations with Pon Ding, which is dedicated to the curation of art books and independent publications, and Pharos Coffee, a Taiwanese coffee brand with locations in Tokyo. Together, they create a restorative environment where visitors can freely move between art, literature, and the aroma of coffee.
The Pon Ding - Green Museumbrary Store breaks from the traditional model of museum shops that primarily sell creative merchandise, establishing instead a bookstore centered on curated publications. The shelving and display systems in the space were designed by Taiwanese industrial designer Yang Shuei-yuan, reflecting the open and fluid spatial qualities of the Green Museumbrary building. Through themed book selections and publication displays, the store presents atmospheres aligned with specific artistic topics. Future plans include hosting lectures and small-scale exchange events, positioning reading as a way for visitors to engage with and understand artistic creation. Within the Pon Ding space, there is also a cultural product section featuring Green Museumbrary merchandise and curated design items. Each item is carefully selected to align with the overall aesthetic of the Museumbrary, extending the artistic experience of the museum into everyday life.
Located on the first floor, Pharos Coffee embraces the philosophy of integrating coffee into daily life, offering light fare such as lightly roasted pour-over coffee, lightly roasted espresso, and handmade bread. The café features furniture crafted by a Taiwanese design team and a custom auditory atmosphere created by Taichung-based synthesizer musician Nick Tsai, making sound an integral part of the immersive experience. The name “Pharos,” derived from the Greek word for “lighthouse,” symbolizes this space as a guiding beacon within the transparent architecture of the Green Museumbrary. It provides visitors a place to pause, focus on the essence of coffee, and enjoy a moment of calm and comfort.
Lai Yi-hsin, Director of the Taichung Art Museum, noted that the addition of Pon Ding and Pharos Coffee not only enriches the public service offerings of the Green Museumbrary but also embodies the venue’s core philosophy of “bringing art into daily life and making reading a part of everyday routines.” Looking ahead, there are plans for the shops to collaborate with both institutions in developing exhibitions and cultural merchandise, further expanding the diversity of the Museumbrary’s cultural offerings.
Through curated reading experiences and thoughtfully crafted coffee, Pon Ding and Pharos Coffee create restorative daily landscapes, positioning the Green Museumbrary as a cultural hub where citizens are encouraged to linger, interact, and return repeatedly. The intertwining aromas of books, coffee, and art come together to form a truly enriching visitor experience. On your next visit to the Green Museumbrary, consider finding a quiet corner to enjoy your own moment of reading and coffee indulgence!

Released by: Taichung Green Museumbrary
Media Contact: Taichung Museum of Art | Ren Yun-xuan｜ molly103017@taichung.gov.tw｜04-2369-6333 #506