The Blue out of The Green
2025, Old Town Revitalization Plan
In recent years, Pingxi Old Town has gradually been overshadowed by neighboring areas such as Shifen and Jingtong, resulting in a steady decline in tourist footfall. However, the area’s sparse and aging population has, in some ways, protected it from external interference and overdevelopment—preserving its rustic charm and making it easier to foster local consensus.
Unlike many revitalization efforts that begin with physical infrastructure upgrades, this project takes a different approach by first re-examining the intrinsic value of place. Through the curation of the Pingxi Good Zine publication, the creation of micro-exhibition spaces, and the activation of cultural resources to reimagine public space, the project seeks to gradually open up the possibility of developing a more refined, slower-paced form of tourism.
This vision stands in contrast to the Old Town’s past reliance on mass tourism and consumer-driven activity. The core challenge lies in helping local organizations and business owners understand how to develop industries rooted in Pingxi’s unique landscape and cultural context—and, more importantly, in fostering a sense of long-term stewardship to sustain both the physical spaces and the community-led programs that emerge.
平溪商圈近年來逐漸被周邊的十分與菁桐商圈取代，觀光人潮日益流失。然而，地方人口稀少且高齡化，某種程度上反而減少了外界的干擾與過度開發，讓商圈得以保有純樸的樣貌，也更容易凝聚在地共識。不同於多數商圈以「硬體優化」作為翻轉的起點，本計畫選擇從「重新認識地方價值」出發，透過策劃平溪好評刊物、設置微型策展空間、活化地方文化資源營造公共空間，並結合參與式工作坊，逐步開啟精緻旅遊發展的可能性。然而，精緻旅遊這樣的發展模式，有別於商圈過去依賴大量遊客與消費的經驗。如何讓地方組織與店家理解「以環境地景與文化獨特性為基礎」來發展地方產業，並且在後續能夠投入心力，維持空間與活動的品質與運作，是本案面臨的最大挑戰。
Compared to conventional commercial district revitalization projects that focus on hardware upgrades and brand identity enhancements, this project places greater emphasis on long-term local development. Rather than proposing idealized design solutions to "fix" present-day issues, we began with limited budgets and resources to outline a vision grounded in the character and realities of the area. The result is a flexible strategic framework—intended as the starting point for a gradual, phased plan over time.
Within this framework, physical improvements and identity design are positioned not as endpoints, but as the prologue: a means to catalyze local transformation while leaving space for future expansion and deeper interventions.
Yet when design intersects with public affairs, it inevitably faces a complex web of constraints—ranging from fragmented land ownership and resource distribution to varying levels of willingness among local shop owners. These realities can sometimes feel absurd or frustrating, yet they are also full of narrative texture and unexpected charm. The role of the designer, then, is to uphold the integrity of the project’s guiding framework while continuously navigating local dialogues with a sense of humor and imagination—seeking the most balanced and context-sensitive design decisions.
相較於傳統著重於硬體與識別優化的商圈改造，本案更關注於地方的長遠發展。我們並非以理想化的設計來「解決」現況問題，而是從有限的預算與資源出發，提出貼近地方氣質的發展願景，勾勒出一個具彈性的框架策略，作為循序漸進的長期計畫起點。在這樣的架構下，硬體優化與識別設計被定位為計畫的序章，不僅揭開地方改造的契機，也為未來擴充與深化計畫預留空間。然而，當設計介入公共事務時，我們必須在地方產權、商圈資源分配與店家意願等錯綜複雜的條件之間謹慎權衡。這些條件有時顯得荒謬無奈，有時卻又充滿故事性與獨特的魅力。設計師必須在守護計畫框架原則的前提下，與地方不斷溝通協調，並保有幽默感與想像力，從中尋找最佳的平衡點，提出最理想的設計決策。
Given the strategic orientation and characteristics of this project, and with the support of ongoing, patient coordination between TDRI, local stakeholders, and public agencies, we chose to "make trouble"—voluntarily and proactively. Rather than staying within the conventional scope of design tasks, we immersed ourselves in the community and actively sought out new possibilities.
For example, we collaborated with a local cooperative to organize a Natural Indigo Furniture Workshop, inviting residents, local government staff, and even students to participate. Through hands-on engagement, participants were able to rediscover the craft of indigo dyeing and the ecological narratives embedded within it.
At the same time, our vision extended beyond the immediate scope of the project to consider the long-term development and integration of the entire Pingxi railway line. We assisted TDRI in identifying opportunities and building momentum for potential future funding and expansion. Our hope was that, even at this early prologue stage, various prototype ideas and project directions could begin to take root—laying the groundwork for broader, long-term impact.
基於本案策略的定位與特性，在設研院與地方、公部門持續耐心的溝通協調下，我們選擇自願地「找麻煩」，積極深入地方、主動創造更多可能。例如，我們透過與地方合作社合作，策劃「藍染家具工作坊」，邀請居民、公所人員甚至學生一起參與，藉由親身體驗重新認識藍染工藝及其背後的生態發展脈絡。同時，我們也將眼光放在平溪線未來的整體串聯與發展，協助設研院爭取未來可能的擴充預算，期望在本次作為序章的階段裡，就能讓不同的構想與計畫雛形同步落地，進而最大化整體效益。
The Pingxi Old Town business association has, commendably, demonstrated a notable degree of cohesion and collective will. With TDRI’s support in facilitating communication and coordination, our team was able to establish a solid foundation of mutual trust with the association, enabling a collaborative and supportive working relationship.
For instance, the association proactively provided venues for our workshops, allowing activities to unfold smoothly. In return, we contributed custom-designed indigo-dyed aprons, which now serve as uniforms for staff members in upcoming exhibitions—embedding the outcomes of the workshop into the ongoing operations of the local space.
That said, as previously mentioned, Pingxi Old Town faces demographic challenges such as population decline and aging, which in turn affect the association’s capacity for continuity in leadership and long-term maintenance. To align with the broader vision proposed in this project, we recommend that the association invest in cultivating a committed and professionally capable team—one that can sustain future operations and gradually build a tourism industry that is both distinctive and competitive.
平溪商圈組織難能可貴地展現出一定程度的向心力，並且在設研院協助溝通與協調下，團隊與商圈組織之間建立了良好的信任基礎，彼此能夠相互支持。例如，商圈組織主動提供工作坊場地，讓我們得以順利舉辦活動；而我們則回饋以設計完成的藍染識別圍裙，作為未來展覽空間工作人員的制服，讓活動成果也能持續融入日常運作。然而，正如前述所提，平溪商圈面臨人口稀少、高齡化等現況，商圈組織本身也存在後續人員交接與經營維運的挑戰。若要呼應本計畫所提出的長遠願景，建議商圈組織應積極培育一支能持續投入、專業經營的團隊，為未來逐步發展出兼具獨特性與競爭力的觀光產業奠定基礎。
The Blue out of The Green
平溪商圈改造案
所在地/新北市平溪區
主要用途/老街
設計___________
空間設計：二弄九號事務所/n9a2
識別設計：躍思設計有限公司
影像___________
攝影：二弄九號事務所/n9a2
期程___________
設計期間：2025年04月-2025年06月
工程期間：2025年07月-2025年10月