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