xiaochuan zhang + luowen liang: dream pavilion

‘dream pavilion’ installation by xiachuan zhang and luowen liang, handmade in a style that parallels the new furniture collection of the same name

the result of a year-long collaboration between chinese jewelry designer xiaochuan zhang and furniture designer luowen liang, ‘dream pavilion’ is a series of handwoven furniture and lighting pieces produced by yatai outdoor furniture company. for the release of the collection, the designers also worked to create an exhibition space whose mobile installations echo the same weave and patterns of the furniture pieces.

the basis of the design concept is the modular but connected and developing nature of cells. interested in organic forms and natural shapes, zhang has previously incorporated this concept through weaving in her jewelry work, but it took her collaboration with the technical expertise of luowen for the two to together design functional large-scale products.

ranging from stools and ottomans to dining tables, hut-like chairs, and of course the mobile pavilion structures themselves, the handmade pieces involve the weaving of differently coloured plastic strips over minimal structural elements. different connective techniques effect a diverse aesthetic across the finished works, which include in some pieces a pattern woven into the object, or complementary accents of different cushion fabrics and styles.

full view of the pavilion

closer view

installation view of a ‘dream pavilion’ dining table and chair set, shown with vase, within the pavilion structure

‘dream pavilion’ chair, with jug vase at left of photo and chair and floor piece at right

detail view

‘dream pavilion’ lounger and ottoman

table and chairs set

installation view

view looking up and out from within the installation

concept sketches

concept rendering of the pavilion installation

production process of the pavilion pieces, involving the handweaving of each piece

closer view of production progress