A Taiwan Railways Administration railcar project took home the prize for transportation system and service in the Japan-based Good Design Award 2020 announced Oct. 1, spotlighting the state-owned enterprise’s efforts to modernize its services.
Designed by Johnny Chiu, Nora Wang and Heng Wu of Taipei City-headquartered JC Architecture, the project saw 70-year-old railcars overhauled and simplified using a chic aesthetic, TRA said
The refurbished railcars are expected to enter into service early next year in preparation for the 2022 Year of Railway Tourism, a promotion launched by the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications to encourage travelers to explore by rail, it added.
According to JC Architecture, with a history spanning 132 years, Taiwan’s railway system is integral to everyday life in the country. Inspired by nature and local cultural heritage, the redesigned carriages hope to revive riders’ childhood memories using the familiar orange and black exterior of the Chu-Kwang Express service.
Launched in 1957 by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, the Good Design Award is considered one of the most prestigious prizes in the design industry. Selected winning entries from this year’s awards will be displayed at the upcoming Good Design Exhibition in Tokyo. (SFC-E)
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