liu jiakun: jane tray for alessi at (UN)forbidden city
based on ancient chinese writing material, identical aluminum bars are tied together to create a versatile double sided tray.
‘jane’ by liu jiakun for alessi (left) image courtesy alessi (right) image © designboom
chinese architect liu jiakun has designed ‘jane’ a double sided tray for italian company alessi. based on ancient chinese writing material, 26 identical aluminum bars are fastened together with stainless steel hardware. the sides of the rods, instead of being 90 degrees to the base, go slightly inward, creating a 89.43° angle. although the difference seems minimal, this creates a slight curve in the surface of the tray. the minimal distinction allows it to transform
between being a stand and a vessel. the simplicity of the design also allows it to be portable. to carry it with one hand the user needs only to roll it part way, creating a grip while still maintaining most of the surface. by rolling it all the way, the tray can be put in small spaces.
between being a stand and a vessel. the simplicity of the design also allows it to be portable. to carry it with one hand the user needs only to roll it part way, creating a grip while still maintaining most of the surface. by rolling it all the way, the tray can be put in small spaces.
‘jane’ by liu jia kun
jane’ tray rolled up
detail
concept sketch
concept sketch of reverse side
tray facing upwardpg. 158 -159 of ‘(UN)forbidden city’ catalogue by officina alessiimage © designboom
tray facing downward pg. 156 -157 of ‘(UN)forbidden city’ catalogue by officina alessiimage © designboom
traditional chinese tray held by one hand pg. 148 -149 of ‘(UN)forbidden city’ catalogue by officina alessiimage © designboom
ability to roll up for portability pg. 146 -147 of ‘(UN)forbidden city’ catalogue by officina alessiimage © designboom
sketches of concept pg. 144 -145 of ‘(UN)forbidden city’ catalogue by officina alessiimage © designboom
liu jiakun showing concept and prototype to gary chang and his team pg. 152 -153 of ‘(UN)forbidden city’ catalogue by officina alessiimage © designboom
aluminum parts which make up the tray pg. 150 -151 of ‘(UN)forbidden city’ catalogue by officina alessiimage © designboom
diagram showing how the angles give a slight curve to the tray pg. 142 -143 of ‘(UN)forbidden city’ catalogue by officina alessiimage © designboom
technical drawings pg. 154 -155 of ‘(UN)forbidden city’ catalogue by officina alessiimage © designboom
informative videos surrounding display in drawers image © designboom
trays available in two colors image © designboom
the collaboration between liu jiakun and alessi was part of the ‘(UN)forbidden city’ exhibition curated by gary chang during beijing design week 2011. read here about ma yansong’s ‘floating earth’ tray and more info on the ‘(UN)forbidden city’ initiative between alessi and chinese architects.
liu jiakun participated in the ‘contemporary chinese architecture from the outside in‘, a talk hosted by designboom at beijing design week 2011.
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