Shisanhang 13 CAFÉ Wins French Design Award: Taiwan's Only Archaeological Café Takes Global Stage

Taiwan’s only archaeological-themed café has stepped onto the global design stage! '13 CAFÉ' at the New Taipei City Shisanhang Museum has won the Silver Award in the 'Concept Design – Green/Sustainable' category at the 2026 French Design Awards, standing out among numerous entries worldwide. Inspired by archaeological stratigraphy and centered on sustainability, this café allows visitors to experience the Shisanhang culture through every meal, bringing the museum’s innovative operations into the international spotlight.

Launched in December 2025, '13 CAFÉ' integrates three core values: 'cultural education,' 'sustainable development,' and 'environmental friendliness.' The interior design uses natural Taiwanese paints blended with shells and pottery shards to recreate the layered strata of archaeological sites. Furniture is crafted from certified domestic timber and reclaimed wood from forest thinning and pruning, while low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) materials ensure a non-toxic environment. The entire space has earned Gold-level certification under the GD Green Renovation standard.

In dining, the café collaborates with multiple health-focused food providers and local farmers, offering additive-free, low-carbon, fully plant-based dishes made from organic local ingredients. It also partners with 'Thousand-Year Coffee,' a community care hub operated by the Jinbaoli Cihugong Temple in New Taipei City, to provide hand-brewed coffee training for elderly residents in Bali District. Additionally, low-carbon sustainability workshops invite nearby business owners to learn about plastic reduction and food waste awareness, extending the café’s sustainable impact from the museum into the surrounding neighborhood. Judges praised the integration of cultural heritage interpretation, community co-creation, and environmental responsibility, recognizing the café not merely as a dining venue but as an interactive platform for sustainable education.

Shisanhang Museum collaborates with 'Thousand-Year Coffee,' a community care hub of the Jinbaoli Cihugong Temple in New Taipei City, to provide hand-brewed coffee training for elderly residents in Bali District. (Photo: New Taipei City Shisanhang Museum)

From daily meals to hands-on workshops, '13 CAFÉ’s' sustainable philosophy continues to expand. Dishes feature ingredients from partners such as 'Liren Social Enterprise' and 'Genmai Daiginjo,' all free of additives and grown using eco-friendly farming methods, uniting health-conscious food businesses to create a dining space that benefits both people and the planet. Furthermore, the museum has partnered with Chu Fang-wei, founder of 'Sweet Vegan,' to launch a series of 'Archaeology-Themed Vegan Dessert DIY' workshops. The September 'Face Pot Scone' embeds the mysterious visage of ancient artifacts into dough; November’s 'Artifact-Shaped Cookies' become adorable miniature relics, perfect for parent-child participation; and December concludes with the 'Rainbow Archaeo-Jar,' recreating the vibrant layers of cultural strata with colorful designs. Each session is limited to 8–10 participants, with fees ranging from NT$299 to NT$399. Attendees also receive exclusive perks, including a complimentary drink at '13 CAFÉ' and discounts on guided museum tours.

Dr. Pei-Hsuan Lo, Director of Shisanhang Museum, stated that '13 CAFÉ' serves as a medium for cultural expression through food, transforming archaeological knowledge into a five-sensory experience—something you can see, smell, and taste. She emphasized that sustainability has been translated from abstract ideals into concrete actions, visible from the space design to the food served. Moving forward, the museum will deepen local connections and educational outreach so that every visitor enjoys not only delicious food and exhibitions but also leaves with a deeper understanding of the land and environment. For more information, please visit the Shisanhang Museum official website (http://www.sshm.ntpc.gov.tw) or Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/13hangmuseum).