bamboo metal by kai ming yang combines ancient joinery with contemporary design

for his latest project, ‘bamboo metal’, brooklyn-based designer kai ming yang explores the use of an old material and joinery technique to create a collection of contemporary objects. the series makes reference to bamboo as a structural element, which has been used since 960 AD as a method for constructing scaffolding, bridge suspension and even house building.

all images courtesy of kai ming yang

the project by kai ming yang transforms the bamboo joinery into metal to create a series of side tables. the cylindrical elements connect together to make the legs, while thin plates of metal form the surface. by applying the traditional technique in a contemporary way, the collection redefines the bamboo material and pays homage to an ancient joinery method.

currently based in brooklyn, new york, kai ming yang is a designer educated in both the united states and taiwan. his work focuses on understanding and utilizing various different materials to rethink the design of everyday objects. creating a range of contemporary pieces, yang’s projects also relate to ideas such as history and human behavior.

project info:

project name: ‘bamboo metal’

design: kai ming yang

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom