Yang: A Modern Fusion of Traditional Chinese Furniture

Bringing Ancient Elegance to Contemporary Living Spaces

The design inspiration for Yang furniture comes from the elegant eaves of ancient Chinese court buildings. Designer Zhao Guojian has taken these traditional elements and modernized them with a minimalist approach, resulting in a unique and refreshing furniture collection that embodies simplicity and sophistication.

The Yang furniture collection stands out from other pieces with its brisk and light aesthetic. Unlike heavy and clumsy furniture, Yang furniture exudes a sense of elegance and grace. By removing cumbersome patterns and focusing on the most concise lines, the collection captures the essence of traditional Chinese furniture while incorporating modern elements.

What sets Yang furniture apart is its integration of elements and styles from renowned designers Phillip Stark and Gerrit Rietveld. The fusion of these influences with the curved upward characteristics of ancient Chinese eaves creates a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. The result is a collection that is simple yet captivating, showcasing the best of both worlds.

The realization of the Yang furniture collection involves the use of high-density mahogany rosewood as the primary raw material. The assembly process utilizes the mortise and tenon structure, round tenon connections, adhesives, nails, wood screws, and metal fittings. Bending techniques are employed to shape solid wood veneers and process warped parts. The furniture is then coated and treated for anti-corrosion.

The specifications of the Yang furniture collection are as follows: a tall table measuring L:350mm W:350mm H:1000mm, a table measuring L:1600mm W:680mm H:790mm, a chair measuring L:700mm W:680mm H:1000mm, a screen measuring L:2100mm W:50mm H:2000mm, and a bookshelf measuring L:1260mm W:300mm H:2000mm.

Designed to enhance daily life activities, the Yang furniture collection can be seamlessly incorporated into any home. Whether it's resting in a chair, reading a book at the desk, or displaying items on the bookshelf, this collection offers both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

The design process for Yang furniture began in November 2016 in Shenyang and was completed in June 2017. Throughout the project, extensive research was conducted to study the characteristics of traditional Chinese furniture from the Qing Dynasty. The goal was to improve upon the traditional mortise and tenon structure and incorporate modern design elements to create a new interpretation of Chinese furniture.

One of the main challenges faced during the design process was extracting symbols from the design sources and ensuring that the final products remained true to their origins. Additionally, integrating concise design into home decor and selecting the appropriate structure and materials posed significant challenges.

Yang furniture has received recognition for its innovative design. In 2019, it was awarded the Iron A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category. This prestigious award is given to well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. The Yang furniture collection has been praised for its integration of industry best practices, competent technical characteristics, and its contribution to a better world.

With its dynamic lines and elegant curves, Yang furniture brings a touch of ancient Chinese elegance to contemporary living spaces. Inspired by the eaves of ancient Chinese Palace buildings, this collection seamlessly blends tradition with modernity, offering a simple yet captivating concept of life.


Project Details and Credits

Project Designers: Zhao Guojian
Image Credits: Zhao Guojian
Project Team Members: Zhao Guojian Zhu Wei Yuan Hao Li Xiang Li Weining Li Hesen
Project Name: Yang
Project Client: Zhao Guojian


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