Awaken The Senses At This French-Inspired Patisserie In Taiwan

Season’s location—in the Da’an District of Taipei, Taiwan—is no accident. An area where tradition meets modernity in the form of boutiques and dining destinations, the neighborhood is the ideal setting for “a patisserie that weaves together European elegance with a distinctly local spirit,” as described by Ecru Studio. Based in Taipei, with a second office in Paris opening soon, the design team is led by Jin Chen and Randy Tu. The designers immediately felt a strong connection with the project, led by one of Taiwan’s first traditional French pastry chefs, Season Hung.

“For Season, we approached the design as a kind of sensory theater: a place not just to consume, but to feel,” Chen says. Spanning approximately 1,077 square feet on a single level, the space—built in the 1970s—features typical characteristics of a Taiwanese apartment. Originally modest, utilitarian and architecturally neutral, it acted as a blank canvas and was reimagined entirely, infused with texture, soul and color—with blue, in various shades, as the primary hue to express both calm and elegance.

See How Ecru Studio Infuses Season With Colorful Hues

After stepping inside the eye-catching fresh pastry and retail zones, guests discover a 9-seat island bar for plated dessert experiences and a lounge evoking an 18th-century Parisian salon, imbued with a sense of drama though a deep palette of velvet red, golden yellow and ochre.

“By combining dusty rose, warm ivory, moss green, and muted gold with the richer, moodier salon hues, we created a layered visual experience that unfolds gradually—like a memory or a quiet performance,” Tu says. “The colors invite guests to slow down, linger, and fully immerse themselves in the space.”

Immerse Yourself in This Taiwanese Patisserie

Throughout, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and Rococo references are married with traditional Asian aesthetics. “We worked with local artist Genggeng to create a hand-painted mural inspired by an ancient Shang Dynasty motif, and incorporated patterned textiles featuring symbolic Asian iconography—mystical signs and totems unique to regional visual traditions,” says Chen. 

This surprising mix-and-match influenced the choice in materials—from lime wash, lacquer veneer and lacquer paint to floral fabrics and ornamental trims—resulting in a subtle balance between decorative richness and moments of restraint. Meanwhile, Milanese design from the 1940s inspired the flooring pattern. “Ultimately, the space is a convergence of East and West, old and new, told through fabric, light, and layered storytelling,” concludes Chen.

How Ecru Studio Creates A Sensory Experience