Taiwan Design Research Institute — “IDDI Design Perception” Feature Interview Report

🌿 Design Begins with the Land — and Returns to the Land

In Episode 10 of the “IDDI Design Perception” interview series by the Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI), TuneTurn founders Chia-Tsen Chu and Wei-Ting Hsu, together with Johnson Wang, Chairman of YS Mechanical, discuss how design can be used to address the challenge of agricultural waste.

The team transforms agricultural by-products — specifically pineapple mulch films and fruit-protection bags — into naturally decomposable and recyclable plant-fiber materials, demonstrating how sustainable design can create new value for Taiwan’s land.

🧪 Innovation Built on Lessons from Failure

During early field testing, the team encountered a setback: a typhoon caused the mulch film to decompose rapidly.Unexpectedly, this accidental “failure” confirmed the material’s complete biodegradability.

This insight prompted the team to reassess the expected lifespan and field requirements of mulch films, leading to improved strategies for design, durability, and agricultural application.

🌱 Design for Social & Environmental Well-Being — Beyond Cost Alone

TuneTurn believes that if sustainability is judged purely by economic cost, natural circular materials may seem less competitive.But when environmental cost and ecological responsibility are included in the equation, their value becomes undeniable.

Design, therefore, is not just an aesthetic discipline — it is a tool to respond to the real needs of the land, the industry, and the community.

Chairman Johnson Wang emphasizes that this is not only material innovation —it represents a fundamental transformation for public health and long-term environmental sustainability in Taiwan.

We welcome you to visit our website to explore more case studies, project stories, and sustainable design insights.

📌 Read the full feature from the Taiwan Design Research Institute — IDDI Design Perception Series: https://www.tdri.org.tw/zh-TW/news/577?fbclid=IwY2xjawL5fSBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHgmx3W3KztAV6UxMPIALWrBoqLhcsXWa2ndEWNJ7HP8Dy9cuC1-ht4Xi3B-a_aem_IIrM8BVLu0coxnDtWrwjeg