Core77

Beijing Design Week 2011: Rethinking Bamboo at the Beijing Design Triennial

By LinYee Yuan - October 4, 2011

in Sustainable Design | Design Festivals

Bamboo Electric Vehicle, Professor Matsuhige Kazumi, Kyoto University

Traveling through Asia, it's incredible to witness men scaling sky-high scaffolding constructed entirely out of bamboo. A lightweight and structurally strong "green" material, bamboo is a grass that is one of the world's fastest growing plants. Part of the inaugural Beijing Design Triennial exhibition at the National Museum, the Rethinking Bamboo exhibition explored new applications for this traditional material in architecture, transportation, furniture, lighting and craft. Curated by Freeman Lau (Vice Chairman of Hong Kong Design Center) and Tsinghua University's Hang Jian (Vice Dean of the Academy of Arts and Design), the exhibition showcases the work of 66 designers representing Asia, Europe and the United States.

Rose Series Hanging Lamps, Korakat Aromdee (Thailand)

I was particularly taken by Indian industrial designer Sandeep Sangaru's beautifully crafted and functional pieces for the home. Bent bamboo strips joined like lattice work form the foundation of asymmetric bookshelves, chairs and benches.

Tree-shape Book Shelf, Sandeep Sangaru

Chair Jun Zi, Jeff Dah-Yue Shi (Taiwan). Sofa, Sandeep Sangaru (India).

Truss Me Bench, Sandeep Sangaru

Tek-sià Design Studio's incredible table lamps are thoroughly modern fitted with LED lights.

Demise Bamboo Table Lamp

BendBoo

Core77 readers are well-versed in bamboo bike construction—Rethinking Bamboo had four on display representing different design directions from around the world.

Bamboo Bike, Karta Agotob (Netherlands)

Buddhas Belly Bamboo Bike, KawayanTech (Philippines)

Kids Bamboo Push Bike, KawayanTech (Philippines)

Rio Bike, Ross Lovegrove (UK)

Rethinking Bamboo National Museum of China Beijing International Design Triennial Through October 17th

BRELLI Umbrella Zonsius Pamelan for BRELLI (USA)

Blow Up Centerpiece Bowl and Bamboo Table, Campana Fratelli for Bluebell HK Ltd (Hong Kong)

o

Favorite This
Q
3

Comment

Comments

john kretschmer HJKA industrial design

13 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Its been awhile since I have seen such imaginative use of a natural material...what a pleasant surprise from so much "green" phony balony!
!Report as spam
Boomchair

13 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

WOW!! That all design looks gorgeous i love and i am very inspired by read your article and seen by your pics.
Thanks for sharing with us.

!Report as spam
Halley | Booklet Printing

13 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Are you serious? These are all made from bamboo? I'm not sure if I've ever been to a design week that showcases such noteworthy collection. The team who organized this event must've been really satisfied with how the show went.
!Report as spam