Zhang Lei, Christoph John and Jovana Bogdanovic
织 Zhī
Water Silk Floss is a typical Chinese crafted fabric, used already 1500 years ago. “Zhī” is a suggestion to translate the material into a conceptual piece. The technique of knitting changes the understated approach of the silk into a recognizable and outstanding structure.
清水丝绵 Water Silk Floss
Water Silk Floss is one of the most famous traditional crafts in Yuhang. It has been concluded into the national grade intangible cultural heritage.
泉 Chuán
“Chuán” is characterized by very thin bamboo strings made by Yuhang craftsmen. After a while the pieces are becoming brown due drying. The form of the lamp just follows the nature given shape of the bamboo.
凝 Níng
A material mix of bamboo, porcelain powder and epoxy resin creates a suspenseful combination of traditional and new materials. The ancient handcraft meets a nowadays design language.
蝶 Tié
“Tié” represents the 2nd edition of our exhibited paper chair. This furniture describes a further step of how to turn a weightless material like paper into a stable and organic solid form. The process is inspired by the Yuhang Paper Umbrella handcraft.
竹 Bamboo
Yuhang is one of the “30 great bamboo town” in China. Bamboo plays an important role in Chinese traditional culture, and also closely relate to our life.
山 Shān
The “Shān” lamp is made of the same traditional paper as it is used by Chinese artists and painters, framed by solid wood. The paper is manufactured in the ancient Chinese handmade paper production method.
舍品系列 Shepin Series
This set of clothing is made primarily of natural freshwater silk floss from Yuhang. Taking an old material and applying a new design scheme of re-weaving, the designer has fashioned the Shepin series, clothing with a unique expression.
纸伞 Paper Umbrella
Pingyao town in Yuhang has a long history of making paper umbrella, even though it is not the earliest and single place which own paper umbrella in China.
露 Lù-Color Table
Lù in Chinese means dew. Our porcelain table collection is inspired by the image of dew collecting on leaves in the early morning. The durability and sturdiness of porcelain make it an ideal tabletop surface. The collection is supported by various dimensions and colors. Each brings a warm and sensitive atmosphere to the home.
云丝 Yúnsī
The combination of a wallhanging and carpet tranquilizes the eyes as they wander over the surface. The unknown material will captivate the viewer. It is called CloudSilk and is a fusion of Water Silk Floss and bamboo paper. Not only does it boast a brilliant decorative effect, but it also functions as a carrier of fragrances. The captured flower (here, Osmanthus) delivers its sweet scent to enhance the mood and delight the senses.
固 Gù
Around Yuhang there are still a few Chinese historical bamboo paper villages which are producing their paper only from natural fibers are used to create the shell for “Gù”chair. The idea is to take the material out of its original context to introduce it to a current living surrounding.
竹纸 Bamboo Paper
Paper making is one of the Four Great Inventions of ancient China. Owing abundant bamboo resource makes Yuhang famous because of using bamboo as the material to make paper.
"From余杭"获得2012年SaloneSatellite Design Report Award
鬲 Lì Porcelain Dishes
Lì porcelain has been created in Yuhang since pre-dynastic times. Lì means container and it was used as a cauldron for boiling water.
冉 Rǎn
The “Rǎn” lamp symbolizes the ancient processing of silk floss and how it is still applied by local workshops in Yuhang. The object freezes one particular processing unit, when the silk is stretched in water. It appears an outstanding and unique texture. Due to the light it generates a warm and domestic living atmosphere.
"From Yuhang", Milan Desing Week 2013
云 Yún
The pieces are made of Yuhang bamboo paper. They follow the same production process as it is still used by local paper workshop – ancient handmade paper. There are no further additives used to generate a strong and solid shape. Due to the natural qualities of the fiber a proper result in terms of durability is already given. The irrefular edge as well as the rough outside surface is illustrating the process of handmade paper and the unique character of each piece.
棝 Gù2
The Gù2 chair is fashioned by combining beech wood and paper fibers. Paper pulp forms the backrest and gives off a stylish appearance. The seat and legs are composed of warm beech wood. The contrast of paper and wood instills the Gù2 chair with a well-defined stability and maturity.
余杭，以设计亮相米兰设计周
檐 Yán
The inspiration of “Yán” comes from the structure of traditional Chinese eaves. The surface of the umbrella follows the pieces, of which each layer is overlapping the lower one by keeping airflow in between.
棕迹 Zōngjì
In the past Use palm thread weave into a weaving panel as mattress, called zong shelter; use palm slice weave as raincoat, called coir. Now Designers use natural materials, mixed with soft caddice, and combined with Yuhang ancient manufacturing mino process, introduction of modern furniture set suitable for outdoor use.
露 Lù
Two coffee tables and the bar table are creating an ensemble of porcelain tables. The durability and solidness of the material are properly fulfilling the requirements on a table surface. At the same time, porcelain is generating a warm and comfortable living atmosphere.
落 Luò
The “Luò” lamp is base on inherited methods to create bamboo paper. But now, this process is transformed into the third dimension. The simplicity in design and natural finish makes every lamp a unique piece.
固 Gù – Color Chair
Around Yuhang, there are still bamboo papermaking villages which continue to produce paper from natural bamboo fibers. This process has been kept intact for thousands of years. The main component of Gù chairs is bamboo pulp.
