From Yuhang Rong

Bamboo, paper, clay, porcelain, copper, silver, silk: every month three international designers use Chinese traditional materials to create contemporary objects.

From Yuhang Rong Design Library is a project by PINWU Design Studio and Yuhang Government in Hangzhou, China.

It focuses on Chinese traditional handcraft research and each material disconstructed from the craft. The Library offers designers Chinese traditional materials such as bamboo, paper, clay, porcelain, copper, silver, silk, etc. Remains of ancient Chinese folk culture are still to be found, hidden in villages. The Library invites three international designers to join the workshop and use these traditional materials in contemporary design.

PINWU, Outdoor Paper Umbrella, Paper Umbrella Studio. Oil paper umbrella is one of the greatest invention in China, resistible to water. As it lost practical usage in modern era it becomes even more spacial as an object. Our design was followed with the desire to enjoy in the garden under the huge paper umbrella. The old craftmen were challanged to use all of their skills and knowledge to create an umbrella of 3 meter diameter. The umbrella is held by a hand painted enamel table
Jean-Philippe Bonzon, Dreaming Factory in Hangzhou, Bolu Enamel Factory. Working with an enamel factory, Bonzon decided to focus his research on welding and, more specifically, on handles. He mixed this concept with craft work. The final products are trays made of enamel, with feet made of natural elements, like bamboo and wood. Bonzon used the bamboo flute workshop to create supports
PINWU, PiaoII. PiaoⅡ is a chair fashioned out of paper and a grid of bamboo strips, following the traditional craft of Chinese lantern making. Applying this technique makes the chair surprisingly strong and durable, yet also thin and lightweight - a true paper chair
PINWU, PiaoII
PINWU, Yin. Silk is a very light and elegant material. The inspiration for the design came from a natural winter scenery – feeling warm and comfortable in your home while a dim light shines through the icy exterior of your window. The lamp is made through an innovative handcraft which follows the characteristics of traditional papermaking. It handles and controls the silk properly during production and captures the beauty of the material through a different angle
PINWU, Gu. Around Yuhang, bamboo papermaking villages still exist, which continue to produce paper from the natural fibers of bamboo. This process has been kept intact for thousands of years. The main component of Gù chairs is bamboo pulp. The simple, yet refined appearance of a Gù chair only hints that it is constructed from archaic materials. It stays ageless amidst its modern surroundings. We have upgraded our collection by adding colors to the bamboo pulp. Aside from the classic white chair, Gù is also made in colors
PINWU, Run- Porcelain Table. The durability and sturdiness of porcelain make it an ideal tabletop surface. The collection is supported by various dimensions and colors, bringing a warm and sensitive atmosphere into the home
PINWU, Xue Lamp. The traditional Chinese paper is based on natural fibers from various plants and trees - bamboo fiber is one of them. The lamp shades are crafted according to the process of the hand-made paper production. The major parts are demountable and the shades can be flattened. The light is unveiling the unique structure of the material. The uneven surface and rough edge reflects the beauty of nature’s irregularity