Lelu Wooden Workshop in Taichung: Crafting Simplicity in Wood

Meng Yi admits that her woodworking style is deeply influenced by Japan. She has read extensively from Japanese books and admires how the Japanese highlight the raw texture and color of wood. Additionally, with a background in industrial design, she focuses on practicality—simplifying the manufacturing process, shortening production time, and reducing costs are all key design considerations. “Does that sound too commercial?” Meng Yi laughs, clarifying that she’s not an artist and doesn’t aspire to be one. Although her starting point is rooted in production, when it comes to design, the simpler it is, the harder it is to achieve.

 

During our conversation, we pointed out to Meng Yi the wooden flower stand by the display room window, whose sleek, hollowed-out design was quite eye-catching. “That’s scrap wood,” she said. What!? It turns out that the hollowed section was originally cut by a factory to make a cup holder, and this entire leftover piece was salvaged by Meng Yi. After some observation and thought, she decided to turn it into a flower stand. “It’s not ready for sale yet—I’ll add supports to reinforce the structure.”

It’s truly amazing—what others might see as worthless leftovers takes on a fresh new form in Meng Yi’s hands. “Woodworkers always keep scraps and offcuts,” Meng Yi added, pointing to a woodpecker-shaped door stopper. “This was a triangular leftover. I thought about what I could make with it, turned it into a door stopper, and later realized it could also work as a bookend.” With Taiwan’s logging ban in place, most wood is imported, so every bit is used as efficiently as possible. “It helps reduce tree cutting, and even small pieces can still be useful.”

 

On the day of our visit, Meng Yi took a square block of wood and, through simple cutting, drilling, and sanding, turned it into a business card holder and pen stand. There were no flashy decorations or complicated processes—the block became a functional everyday item, one that fully showcases the texture and charm of natural wood.

Perhaps the sight of wood piles along the roadsides of Fengyuan may never return, and the image of children in Fengyuan playing and hiding among the timber stacks may exist only in memory. But the possibility of living joyfully with wood can still be realized and sustained—in Lelu Wooden Workshop, and in the hearts of everyone who loves wood, transformed and brought to life.

 

[Info]

Address: No. 408-1, Dongguan Road, Dongshi District, Taichung City

Phone: 0988-958-709

Website: tw.myblog.yahoo.com/lifeaesthetics-exhibition

Activity: Paint Your Own Heat Shield, NT$200 per person, for groups of 10 or more (reservation required).

 

●   Read More:

A Mini-Tour of Taichung’s Handmade Shops: Discover the Warmth of Local Artisans

http://goo.gl/98Fyzc

 

MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network: Taiwan’s Largest Travel Information Platform

www.mook.com.tw