22STUDIO

Meet the Maker

Sean Yu & Yiting Cheng: Urban Concrete Design from Taipei, Taiwan

22STUDIO

"We break the mold. The city houses us, moves us and protects us, but at 22STUDIO, the city also inspires us."

- Sean Yu, 22STUDIO Co-Founder

From their studio in Taipei, a city defined by concrete and steel, 22STUDIO transforms these urban materials into bold, minimalist objects that challenge our perceptions of what concrete can be.

The Craft

22STUDIO transforms urban materials into sophisticated everyday objects. Using their exclusive high-density concrete formula, they craft minimalist timepieces and writing instruments that celebrate the raw beauty of concrete. Their architectural pens feature finely contoured concrete barrels and machined stainless steel components, offering a unique tactile experience that evolves with use. Their watches showcase integrally formed concrete dials that display the material's subtle texture variations. Each piece undergoes a meticulous 14-day curing process in a temperature-controlled chamber, developing unique patterns impossible to replicate. This patient approach creates concrete with exceptional hardness and character, paired perfectly with premium components—German SCHMIDT Technology in their pens and Japanese Miyota movements in their timepieces. Their signature béton brut technique deliberately preserves concrete's natural imperfections, celebrating the honest expression of the material.

The Maker

In 2005, founders Sean Yu and Yiting Cheng established 22STUDIO in Taipei, a city defined by concrete and steel. The name "22" embodies their fundamental philosophy—an attitude unafraid to follow creative instincts to concrete conclusions. Their eleven-person team functions as a close-knit community of specialists, with design and production housed under one roof. This unity, rare in an age of disconnected mass production, allows them to maintain control over every stage of creation. What began with experimental concrete rings has evolved into a celebrated brand through continuous innovation, now on their fifth generation of production techniques.

Materials & Care

22STUDIO's exclusive concrete formula begins as a liquid mixture but sets to become remarkably durable. Unlike conventional concrete products, they embrace the material's natural aging process—subtle chipping and evolving color patina are considered design features that beautifully record time's passage. Each piece pairs concrete with medical-grade 316L stainless steel, known for its corrosion resistance and hypoallergenic properties. Writing instruments feature premium SCHMIDT Technology components from Germany. With proper care, these objects develop richer character through use, the concrete darkening slightly while sharp edges naturally soften against the hand.