THE STORY OF US
Established in Stuttgart, Germany, since 2018
Tiffany is an architectural designer and Steve is a robotics engineer. Both are researchers interested in the intersections of nature and technology. Tiffany develops plant-inspired building components using robot arms, while Steve uses legged robots to investigate how animals move. So they decided to get married.
Tiffany and Steve first met at Herbert'z Espresso Bar, a cozy Swabian cafe popular with the locals, which became a regular haunt for them to while away time over a "Milchkaffee" and "Laugencroissant belegt" as well as to meet with friends (e.g., Matt and Michelle, who live down the street).
After exchanging stories of robots, plants, animals, and living across borders, Tiffany bid her goodbye and hurried away (undoubtedly, to attend to some pressing work) and Steve sauntered across town back to his apartment, walked into the living room, and plopped himself upside-down on the couch, gazing at the ceiling, and announced to his flatmate Friedrich "I'm in love!".
In the next weeks, he plied her with pancakes, boardgames, and open-mic nights (which were in German and unintelligible to the newly arrived expat), culminating in a first official date: a walk through a hillside vineyard to a small Waldgarten for a pay-what-you-want concert from the then-even-less-known Russian guitarist Alexandr Misko.
And the rest of the story is still being written…
Fun facts
Learn about the flora and fauna of Taiwan (where Tiffany is from) and Switzerland (where Steve is from) through this quiz! Guess where these plants and animals come from and hover for the answer.
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Ursus thibetanus formosanus
The Formosan Black Bear is endemic to Taiwan and characterized by a distinctive white mark on its chest, shaped like a crescent moon. They live in Taiwan's central and snowy mountain ranges. -
Capra ibex
The Alpine ibex is a species of wild goat that was hunted and extirpated from Switzerland in the 19th century. In 1906, three ibexes were smuggled into the Swiss Alps and successfully reintroduced to parts of its historical range. -
Ananas comosus
More than 90 pineapple varieties are grown in Taiwan, the largest number in the world. These "freedom pineapples" are selectively cultivated for their delicate texture, fragrance, and flavors. -
Leontopodium nivale
The Edelweiss is found in remote mountain areas, belonging to the daisy or sunflower family. A symbol of Swiss alpinism, the plant is covered in fuzzy white hairs that protect it from cold, aridity, and UV radiation. -
Bos taurus
The Braunvieh is a breed of domestic cattle originating in Switzerland and distributed throughout the Alpine region. It was originally a triple-purpose animal: milk production, meat, and draught work. -
Deinagkistrodon acutus
The Hundred-Pace Viper is a venomous snake marked by black triangles and revered by indigenous Taiwanese. Its name refers to the belief that, after being bitten, the victim can walk only 100 steps before perishing. -
Lilium formosanum
The Formosa lily is endemic to Taiwan and blooms from June to December. Adopted by the Wild Lily student movement in 1990, the flower is a symbol of resilience, freedom, and transition to democracy in Taiwan. -
Pinus cembra
The Swiss stone pine grows in the Alps and Carpathian Mountains. Its cones can be used to flavor "Zirbenschnaps" or its seeds harvested for pine nuts. In general, pine cones are an inspiration for Tiffany's work.
