TRANSLATION | Eugenia Yang
What 1,300 degrees carries is the warmth of this city and the epitome of past eras, and Richard Liao is prepared to set another high point for HWA HSIA GLASS GROUP’s years of foundation with his personal charm. To become an Instagram-worthy location is simply a transitional concept. “Make glass sexy again,” is perhaps his interpretation and what he lives by towards HWA HSIA GLASS GROUP and Aqua Soul—a translation of the genuine emotions.
Unsettling norms, Richard Liao turns HWA SIA into a kingdom of glass that will surprise the future market’s attitude towards aesthetics.
燃情於暖意
緩緩走入工廠內，入目所及皆是火烤的玻璃，閉上眼，似乎還能聽見工廠員工裡笑鬧著的烟火氣，像是打開了一段塵封於歷史的回憶，初次見到華夏玻璃廖冠傑，用一個形容詞:「少年感。」或許在他看來，帶領公司年輕化，一座城市真正網紅元素，往往都不是政府主導的政績工程，而是自己長出來的，有烟火氣，才會令人親近感。
在台灣大眾對於玻璃的認知比較淺，今年階段性任務，他希望透過工廠變成網紅景點的方式，打造新竹玻璃文創園區的概念，帶來一場玻璃製作的沉浸式體驗，站在複雜充滿機械美的操作台前，感知溫度與情懷。原本毫不起眼的建築體，燃起了一股暖意與新巧思，廠房間一區塊錯落有致的繽紛馬卡龍顏色，單純是因為媽媽喜歡吃馬卡龍，穿越工廠長廊彷彿置身於北歐小巷間，別有情調。
With a white circle in the shape of a G symbolizing glass, the enormous sign of HWA SIA GLASS GROUP is added with an extra layer of meaning, appearing more fashionable and unique through the camera lens.
再造品牌風華
擷取一段舊日回憶，充滿人文情懷的張力，偌大的華夏玻璃招牌，外層的白色圈是一個G的標誌，象徵著GLASS，涵義著玻璃的小巧思，在鏡頭下竟顯別緻的時尚，只有在指尖滑過磚牆的瞬間，才能觸摸到斑駁的裂痕，感受歷史與現代交融的味道，這或許才是生活更值得關心的一面。迎合世代的競爭，他不斷去更新自己的見解與思維，學習是一條沒有止盡的道路，也開始嘗試透過自媒體發聲，傳播品牌精神，訴說玻璃兄弟的故事。
A collaboration with Cha Tzu Tang, the exclusive tableware radiates with HWA SIA GLASS.
看準中國市場跟上時代腳步，計畫性在上海成立水晶靈品牌實體店面，根在台灣，目標將品牌布局亞州。2014年打造的水晶靈自有品牌，核心精神強調「天然」與「質感」，玻璃運用百分白可以回收的材質，而透過設計師創新理念與玻璃師傅積累多年的火侯控制經驗，打造於生活中有品味的器皿，近期將推出全新杯子系列，不管在居家、運動與夜店都可以擁有一個「水晶靈」。
玻璃新視界
熱火朝天的工廠，將荒涼閒置廠房，打造成玻璃文藝時尚創意園區，同一片土地，不同是時間的變遷，在原有的城市中積累下的歷史獲得了傳承與再生，他準備與台灣在地文創小店結合，玩出新態度。談及如何保持著活力的來源，他只講了兩個字:「運動。」從中獲取身心靈的釋放與能量。細數漫長歲月，對望20歲在康乃爾求學時期在草原上奔跑的模樣，廖冠傑想告訴那時候的自己，「其實你不用急，未來人生實在太長了。」伴隨著開玩笑的話語，邁入下一個10年，他希望當提及玻璃，世人會想到華夏，於他掌舵之下品牌能代表台灣與世界接軌，瞥了一眼遠處黑白相間AQUA SOUL的牆面，我不禁會心一笑，等待蓄勢待發。
A Fiery Tenderness
Slowly walk into the factory, what comes into sight is the heated glass. Even when you close your eyes, it is as if you can still hear the factory workers’ laughter, which feels like tapping into a long lost memory. The first time meeting Richard, the CEO of HWA SIA GLASS GROUP, one adjective comes to mind: youthful. Perhaps to him, making his company younger and establishing Instagram-worthy features are not vanity projects, but more of a personal achievement. Finding the ordinary is what draws people closer to one another. It is true that the general public knows relatively little about glass and glassmaking, which is why Richard’s mission at the moment is to turn the factories into an Instagram-worthy location, thereby building a Hsinchu Class Cultural and Creative Park. By establishing an immersive experience and allowing visitors to actually go behind the complexly beautiful work stations, a true understanding of warmth and feelings is given. A building that appears dull and plain at first, is now ignited with a new sense of tenderness and ingenuity. There is even an area in the factory that is painted with patches of macaroon colors, simply because Richard’s mother is a big fan of the French dessert. As we wander amidst the hallways and corridors, it is as if we are taken back to the alleys in Northern Europe, an atmosphere that is romantic and distinctive.
The exclusive Kinmen Kaoliang Liquor “In the Name of Love” bottle, manufactured by HWA SIA GLASS GROUP.
Recreate & Rebrand
Retrieve a piece of old memory to feel the humanistic ambience again. With a white circle in the shape of a G symbolizing glass, the enormous sign of HWA SIA GLASS GROUP is added with an extra layer of meaning, appearing more fashionable and unique through the camera lens. As our fingertips glide across the brick wall, we feel the peelings and cracks that embody the blend of history and modernity—perhaps this is the aspect of life that is the most important. Facing such a competitive world, Richard continues to update and renew his thinking and beliefs because learning is a journey that never ends. He had also begun to try to speak through social media to share with the world the spirit of his brand and the story of the glass brothers. Targeting the Chinese market, he also plans on establishing an in-person store for Aqua Soul in Shanghai. Though rooted in Taiwan, Richard aspires to expand his brand to all of Asia. Established in 2014, Aqua Soul focuses on being “all-natural” and “sophisticated,” and only makes glass that is 100% recyclable. With the designer’s innovative ideas and the glassmith’s years of experience, dainty utensils that are full of life are thus created. In the near future, he is planning on launching a new cup series so that no matter where you are—at home, the gym, nightclubs—you will be able to carry an Aqua Soul with you.
Painted with pastel macaron colors, the walls of the machine rooms are added with a touch of tenderness and innovation.
Through the New Looking Glass
Originally a burning hot factory, now the desolate machine rooms have turned into a glass art creative park. We are still on the same land, what’s different is the change of time. Now, with the accumulated history of the city inherited and reborn, Richard is ready to collaborate with local Taiwanese stores to spark something new. When asked about how he maintains his energy, the answer is simple: workout. Through the workout sessions, he is able to relax his body and mind and release any tensed-up energy. Reminiscing the past times, Richard wants to tell his younger self—the twenty-year-old undergraduate roaming through the fields of Cornell University—there really is no rush because he’s still got a long way to go. Jokes aside, he still hopes that when people mention glass, HWA HSIA GLASS GROUP is what comes to mind. Under Richard’s lead, he aspires to establish a brand that connects Taiwan with the rest of the world. Glancing at the monochrome walls of Aqua Soul, I can’t help but smile to myself as I wait excitedly for what he will be able to achieve.
📍華夏玻璃
地址: 300新竹市香山區埔前路49號
電話：03 538 5185
發表迴響