SaloneSatellite Award, young designers combine traditional craftsmanship and innovative technologies

The circularity of materials

Lamps, vases, tiles the young talents were inspired by heterogeneous sectors, paying particular attention to the circularity of materials and components, and engaging in the challenge of designing solutions that are as mono-material as possible. Constructive minimalism, innovative joints and smart solutions are integrated with contemporary tools such as generative design and 3D printing, without abandoning the value of traditional techniques, reworked together with master craftsmen.

The combination of craftsmanship and contemporary design allows the creation of a unique cultural identity and different choices for the future.

Also in line with this inspiration were the two young Special Mention designers, Chilean Nicolas Romero of Aiko Design and Chinese Yixian Wang.  Aiko presented Numina lamp, awarded because it "conceals and contains the industrial culture of seriality and the artisan culture of traditional workmanship", Yixian presented Foggy, a vase made by transforming a soft fibreglass fabric, without resin, with airy and intricate threads that catch the light like dew, revealing silent fragility and unexpected lightness that can redefine the material.

The Bridge Between China and Satellite

The prize-winners are Zhang Lei, founder, with Serbian Jovana Bogdanovic and German Christoph John, of Pinwu Design Studio. Zhang is an old acquaintance of the Show, Nicolas Romero and Yixian Wang will be guests for a month in the Yuhang district in Hangzhou, where Pinwu Design Studio has in fact created a multi-ethnic studio specialising in projects where craftsmanship is the driver. But also a library of traditional materials because Zhang Lei's work focuses on the investigation of local craft techniques and processes. The project is non-profit, supported by the local government of Yuhang and private companies and sponsors.

Not only that. From 2019, with the launch of the Rong Design Award, together with the SaloneSatellite Pinwu is offering the opportunity for the two winners of mentions at the Satellite to spend a month in China, creating a bridge between Italia and China, in collaboration with the Yuhang District Government of Hangzhou. It is no coincidence that Rong in Chinese means to merge,  which describes the main philosophy behind Zhang's research and design.

The Piao paper chair has become iconic, in keeping with the craftsmanship of traditional Chinese paper umbrellas. If Pinwu brings together designers from all over the world, the effects can be seen: Nicolas Romero is terrified and excited about going to China, Yixian who is also Chinese in Hangzhou will see a very different part of his country.