Beijing Design Week returns this month for its 5th edition. The event, held annually, is a growing platform for designers, industry experts, artists, architects, and the general public to explore innovative ideas focused on design in China.
Beijing Design Week returns this month for its 5th edition. The event, held annually, is a growing platform for designers, industry experts, artists, architects, and the general public to explore innovative ideas focused on design in China.
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A 3D printed fashion series featured work by WAX Architects, ASW Workshop, Nanjing 3D Printing Institute, Nanjing Fine Art School and designer NE-TIGER. Wearable designs included 3D printed wings, a spinal brace, and an extreme-sports backpack.
A 3D printed fashion series featured work by WAX Architects, ASW Workshop, Nanjing 3D Printing Institute, Nanjing Fine Art School and designer NE-TIGER. Wearable designs included 3D printed wings, a spinal brace, and an extreme-sports backpack.
courtesy beijing design week
Beijing Design Week is divided into core areas or "Design HOP" programs that focus on collaborative ventures and local engagement within specific communities. This year, the historic area of Baitasi (White Pagoda) will host several new initiatives including how to rethink the typology of traditional courtyard homes. The photo above shows a view from one of the hutongs found in the Baitasi area. Hutongs are alleyways found throughout Beijing. These old streets and homes have been demolished as the city continues to develop.
Beijing Design Week is divided into core areas or "Design HOP" programs that focus on collaborative ventures and local engagement within specific communities. This year, the historic area of Baitasi (White Pagoda) will host several new initiatives including how to rethink the typology of traditional courtyard homes. The photo above shows a view from one of the hutongs found in the Baitasi area. Hutongs are alleyways found throughout Beijing. These old streets and homes have been demolished as the city continues to develop.
XU NING/beijing design week
This is one of the case studies being conducted in the Baitasi area. Architects in the area were asked to work with the trope, "courtyard as future living hub." In typical "siheyuan" (historical type of residencies) typologies, a courtyard is placed at the center, with all homes facing inwards towards a courtyard. This spatial layout is closely linked to traditional Chinese family living. Architect Hua Li, of Trace Architecture Office (TAO) has a different vision. In response to today's need for individual space and privacy, Hua Li changes the orientation of the homes -- with each small home facing a different direction.
This is one of the case studies being conducted in the Baitasi area. Architects in the area were asked to work with the trope, "courtyard as future living hub." In typical "siheyuan" (historical type of residencies) typologies, a courtyard is placed at the center, with all homes facing inwards towards a courtyard. This spatial layout is closely linked to traditional Chinese family living. Architect Hua Li, of Trace Architecture Office (TAO) has a different vision. In response to today's need for individual space and privacy, Hua Li changes the orientation of the homes -- with each small home facing a different direction.
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Another case study taking place in Baitasi is the Hybrid Courtyard project, designed by Gong Dong of Vector Architects. The project is focused on maintaining the character and history of the traditional courtyard home, in efforts to make it more desirable among today's urbanites. The "hybrid" concept aims to incorporate work and leisure spaces by dividing up traditional courtyard living spaces.
Another case study taking place in Baitasi is the Hybrid Courtyard project, designed by Gong Dong of Vector Architects. The project is focused on maintaining the character and history of the traditional courtyard home, in efforts to make it more desirable among today's urbanites. The "hybrid" concept aims to incorporate work and leisure spaces by dividing up traditional courtyard living spaces.
beijing design week
Another core Design HOP area is Dashilar, located near Tian'an'men Square. Dashilar is one of the oldest, and most famous hutong areas found in the city -- and widely celebrated in its heyday for Peking duck, or roast duck, and Peking opera. This photo shows the main alley, Yangmeizhu Xiejie. Dashilar has been a part of Beijing Design Week since 2011. The ongoing influence of Beijing Design Week, has allowed a strong local design community to emerge and base itself in the area.
Another core Design HOP area is Dashilar, located near Tian'an'men Square. Dashilar is one of the oldest, and most famous hutong areas found in the city -- and widely celebrated in its heyday for Peking duck, or roast duck, and Peking opera. This photo shows the main alley, Yangmeizhu Xiejie. Dashilar has been a part of Beijing Design Week since 2011. The ongoing influence of Beijing Design Week, has allowed a strong local design community to emerge and base itself in the area.
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Throughout Dashilar, visitors will see "courtyard plug-ins" -- or new structures literally plugged into old, traditional courtyard homes. These designs, conceived by the firm People's Architecture Office, was a solution proposed in response to the financial burden associated with renovating and rebuilding old courtyards. The idea is to preserve the exteriors of existing, centuries-old coutryard homes, and modernize the interiors with prefabricated walls. The new interiors can be wired for modern plumbing and electricity, and are well insulated for colder months.
Throughout Dashilar, visitors will see "courtyard plug-ins" -- or new structures literally plugged into old, traditional courtyard homes. These designs, conceived by the firm People's Architecture Office, was a solution proposed in response to the financial burden associated with renovating and rebuilding old courtyards. The idea is to preserve the exteriors of existing, centuries-old coutryard homes, and modernize the interiors with prefabricated walls. The new interiors can be wired for modern plumbing and electricity, and are well insulated for colder months.
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This is another example of People Architecture Office's courtyard plug-ins. The design of this mechanized door allows for a more efficient use of space. The local government is now helping to financially back the project. PAO is in the process of designing more of these plug-ins for residents in the neighborhood.
This is another example of People Architecture Office's courtyard plug-ins. The design of this mechanized door allows for a more efficient use of space. The local government is now helping to financially back the project. PAO is in the process of designing more of these plug-ins for residents in the neighborhood.
beijing design week
As courtyard structures transformed over the years, several small kitchen-like units were attached as extensions of each courtyard home, but were considered uninteresting and often dismissed in the renovation process. Architect Zhang Ke of standardarchitecture pays special attention to these units, focusing on renovating them individually. One kitchen was converted into a 6-square meter mini art space built out of brick, while another space was converted into a small library.
As courtyard structures transformed over the years, several small kitchen-like units were attached as extensions of each courtyard home, but were considered uninteresting and often dismissed in the renovation process. Architect Zhang Ke of standardarchitecture pays special attention to these units, focusing on renovating them individually. One kitchen was converted into a 6-square meter mini art space built out of brick, while another space was converted into a small library.
beijing design week
Studio O created this interactive installation, named Symphony of Blues. It incorporates 88 various shades of blues in reference to the number of keys on a grand piano.
Studio O created this interactive installation, named Symphony of Blues. It incorporates 88 various shades of blues in reference to the number of keys on a grand piano.
ourtesy beijing design week
Above is a rendering of "Double Happiness," a project by RAMOPRIMO that proposes a widespread system of attractive hubs dotting old districts with new public services. This concept re-imagines a traditional neighborhood layout. The services vary from places for pigeon raising to telescope stations.
Above is a rendering of "Double Happiness," a project by RAMOPRIMO that proposes a widespread system of attractive hubs dotting old districts with new public services. This concept re-imagines a traditional neighborhood layout. The services vary from places for pigeon raising to telescope stations.
beijing design week
Each year, Beijing Design Week hosts a guest city. This year's guest city is Dubai. The structure, "Shelter 0" was presented at the Dubai exhibition. It's an experimental structure, exploring the potential use of recycled materials. The structure is made out of rubber strips laid over a shelter fit for desert climates.
Each year, Beijing Design Week hosts a guest city. This year's guest city is Dubai. The structure, "Shelter 0" was presented at the Dubai exhibition. It's an experimental structure, exploring the potential use of recycled materials. The structure is made out of rubber strips laid over a shelter fit for desert climates.
courtesy beijing design week
Converting everyday objects into unusual and surprising forms, designer Lin Jing showcases her "Ridiculous Playroom" series at Beijing Design Week. Above is her Bonsai Table, which breaks the surface of a single table into four separate surfaces.
Converting everyday objects into unusual and surprising forms, designer Lin Jing showcases her "Ridiculous Playroom" series at Beijing Design Week. Above is her Bonsai Table, which breaks the surface of a single table into four separate surfaces.
beijing design week
The "Digital X" series include sculptural chairs designed by Zhang Zhoujie, and was designed using in-house software developed by Zhang Zhoujie Digital Lab. The chairs provide a glimpse of what the future of contemporary Chinese design might look like.
The "Digital X" series include sculptural chairs designed by Zhang Zhoujie, and was designed using in-house software developed by Zhang Zhoujie Digital Lab. The chairs provide a glimpse of what the future of contemporary Chinese design might look like.
Beijing Design Week
Vulcan, a volcanic-shaped white structure conceived by the Laboratory for Creative Design is comprised of 1,100 separate 3D printed units, making it one of the world's largest 3D printed architectural models. The installation was hosted by Parkview Green, a mixed-use complex and one of the sites of Beijing Design Week.
Vulcan, a volcanic-shaped white structure conceived by the Laboratory for Creative Design is comprised of 1,100 separate 3D printed units, making it one of the world's largest 3D printed architectural models. The installation was hosted by Parkview Green, a mixed-use complex and one of the sites of Beijing Design Week.
Beijing Design Week