Mike Chen started writing about designer furniture on the internet when he was still an architecture student, brimming with curiosity, and gradually amassed a wealth of knowledge and a collection of his own.
Now, he is perhaps one of Taiwan’s most renowned design collectors, with a passion for Jean Prouvé, Charles and Ray Eames, Hans J Wegner and Poul Henningsen. He is especially drawn to discontinued classics, saying ‘even if something is still in production, I prefer to find an older version on the secondhand market. The process of encountering vintage pieces is a different emotional experience to paying for something new. Plus, it’s more environmentally friendly.’
The collector calls Taichung – Taiwan’s second-largest city – home. His residence occupies two storeys in the same building, with each floor playing a distinct role. One is a space for daily family life with his wife and two children, while the other, shown in detail here, acts as his personal museum.
This space is also a social hub. Mike has built a network of like-minded design lovers over the years, many of whom first connected with him online. His home serves as a gathering place for them to explore and discuss design.
Friends also get together here, marvelling at the carefully curated surroundings and chatting late into the night without the worry of disturbing Mike’s children. At other times, it transforms into a yoga studio for his wife.
The collector collaborated with Taiwanese design firm Skillabilitydept to bring his vision of a ‘furniture gallery’ to life. They kept the ceilings raw and exposed, lending the space a rugged, industrial vibe, while Mike’s love for Jean Prouvé is evident throughout, particularly in the use of perforated metal. One striking example is a red metallic wall with circular cutouts that perfectly evokes the Prouvé aesthetic.
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The collection is not static. As Mike continues to deepen his knowledge, his connection with the objects evolves – he lets some go, creating a cycle of renewal, and has just gone through the complex process of using a crane to transport a vintage 2.8-metre-high, 1.8-metre-wide Prouvé door from France into his home, rearranging the existing furniture into a fresh ‘exhibition’ to accommodate this new addition.
‘Design is like my garden,’ he explains. ‘Just as a gardener tends to plants, I enjoy moving pieces around, finding the perfect spot for them, and then moving them again. The process of arranging and rearranging is a joy in itself.’ @skillabilitydept
