News about design in China
“This floating teahouse in Yangzhou, by Chinese architects HWCD Associates, features brick rooms linked by louvred bamboo corridors and brises soleil. Situated in Shiqiao Garden in Yangzhou, a city to the northwest of Shanghai, the teahouse is organised in asymmetric cubes on a lake”. Via Dezeen.
EcoChic Design Award China 2012 final entries have been announced. Read more about the 11 grand finalists here, or vote for the ultimate winner here.
Founded by photographer Stefen Chow, Beijing Creatives is a group that aims to informally bring together (Beijing-based) creative people to “start talking, sharing and collaborating”. This Weds 30 May, the group’s first ever event will be held at Great Leap Brewery from 19:30-21:30; 4 speakers, 10 minutes each to discuss background, projects and what they’re currently up to, followed by a quick Q&A.
Ruxi is a sustainable fashion brand set up by Lian and Fu Youtian. Now in their third year, they concentrate on using 100% natural fabrics and reviving old, local dyeing processes, viewing their work as a means of preserving intangible heritage. Design China visited the duo at their relatively new store in Yonghegong, Beijing to learn more.
“Redress launches The EcoChic Design Award China 2012, a sustainable fashion design competition challenging emerging fashion designers to create mainstream fashion with minimal textile waste. The competition provides designers with the sustainable design tools to take them through six months of design and theory that culminates at a final runway show at Shanghai Fashion Week in October. Twelve grand finalists will then compete for the chance to design a sustainable collection for retailer ESPRIT, visit John Hardy’s sustainable Bali-based production facilities and visit Hong Kong Fashion Week”. Details.
New works from INNOVO (who are now operating under the name, PINWU).
Bamboo has played a vital role in the history and development of Chinese culture. More recently, however, designers have started to appreciate the material for its light, resilient and sustainable qualities. Void of cultural attachment, their approach to handling bamboo as a relatively new design material contrasts greatly to age-old Chinese craft and technique.
Beijing International Design Triennial curators, Freeman Lau and Hang Jian, have teamed up to “re-think bamboo” in an exhibition of works that explore the material’s potential as alternative architecture, contemporary design, products, clothing, transport and even food. They question how culture and tradition can be used to inform the design process, and whether bamboo can provide an alternative way of living? Continue reading via NoD.
