We incorporated architecture and design into the vegetable fields, just like the green rooftops in the cities. We inhabited and shared the same space with the locals, which brought us joyful (occasionally troublesome) scenarios from time to time. We drove away from the highway for about 40km, and there we seemed to live a life 40 years backwards – how incredible!
Speaker Jovana Zhang
Date 28.01.2022
Time 6:30 PM
Via Zoom
Having lived in the city for years, we were fascinated by the idea of leading a rush-hour-free life. Our next big step was to bring that idea into reality by moving into the Qing Shan Village. We incorporated architecture and design into the vegetable fields, just like the green rooftops in the cities. We inhabited and shared the same space with the locals, which brought us joyful (occasionally troublesome) scenarios from time to time. We drove away from the highway for about 40km, and there we seemed to live a life 40 years backwards – how incredible!
We have a lease of 40 years. We adopt an architect’s eye as we experiment with our facilities: the library, workshops, Rong kitchen, studios, homes and garden. This lecture is about our stories and reflections while renovating, furnishing and inhabiting these spaces.
Born in Belgrade, Jovana Zhangstudied furniture design and interior architecture at the University of Applied Arts in Belgrade. In 2009, she moved to Milan, where she worked for studio Urquiola. From 2010 onwards, she lives in Hangzhou of China. Together with Christoph John and Zhang Lei, Jovana founded Pinwu design studio, which designed contemporary objects inspired by traditional Chinese handicrafts. Pinwu design studio has collaborated with several local and international brands such as Hermes, Fendi, Maison Margiella, H&M, Woolmark, Peugeot, Axor, Jnby, Salone Satellite etc.
In 2015, Pinwu studio founded the non-profit-driven Rong Design Library, collecting and documenting artefacts related to Chinese handicrafts. In the past years, Rong Library’s research was extended to all provinces of China. Pinwu studio and Rong Library have hosted hundreds of international and local designers through their residency programmes “Guest Designers” and “Rong – Handmade in Hangzhou”. Their work has been shown in Milan, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Paris, Athens and Lugano.
The lecture will be conducted in English.
Click here for details of the Public Lecture Series 2021-22.
