Design Anthology, Asia Edition Issue 29

Not long before I wrote this issue’s letter, director Chloé Zhao made history as the first Asian woman, and only the second woman ever, to win one of the Academy’s highest accolades — the Oscar for best director — for Nomadland. In 2020, we saw South Korean director Bong Joon-ho sweep up a long list of awards for his black comedy-thriller Parasite, including Oscars for best director and best picture, the latter marking a first for any non-English language film.Why is this so significant? Because stories are important, and diversity in stories and storytelling even more so. Storytelling is a cultural tradition as old as humankind. We tell stories to learn from one another, with facts, legends and myths passed down from generation to generation. If we’re lucky, we see ourselves…

Text Aaina Bhargava, Uracha Chaiyapinunt, Jennifer Choo, Danielle Demetriou, Yen Kien Hang, Jennifer Henricus, Quyên Hoàng, Luo Jingmei, Julia Nebrija, Tomás Pinheiro, Chris Schalkx, Sandra Tan Images Francis Amiand, RR Barretto, Ameen Deen, Daniel Kai Hirao, Neulhae Jo, Stephen Kent Johnson, Yoonsung Kwon, Lê Nguyên Nhật, Kitmin Lee, Jovian Lim, Michel Lunardelli, Ankush Maria, Fabian Ong, Kristoffer Paulsen, Benjamin Reich, Chris Schalkx, Nao Shimizu, Anson Smart, Alberto Strada, Studio Matsutani, Studio Oh-Kyeong, Pichan Sujaritsatit, Lillie Thompson, Thilina Wijesiri, Nicholas Wilkins, Ketsiree Wongwan, Xi Wenlei Illustration Alejandro Viñuela Agra, Teng Yu…

AWARDS The industry awards for the region’s design community, celebrating and showcasing high-calibre work by emerging and established designers design-anthology.com/awards SHOP A curated selection of products by makers working in and around Asia, with worldwide shipping to wherever you are design-anthology.com/shop SUBSCRIBE Receive four issues a year plus our Milan Report, as well as access to the digital edition and exclusive invitations and discounts design-anthology.com/subscribe EVENTS Online and offline, we bring thought leaders together to explore the future of design and inspire the people making it happen design-anthology.com/events EMAIL The weekly Dispatch delivers a round-up of our top stories, products, events and opportunities straight to your inbox design-anthology.com/dispatch AUSTRALIA EDITION Published in Melbourne, Design Anthology Australia focuses on Australia and New Zealand’s burgeoning creative landscapes design-anthology.com/australia PODCAST Take an international tour to meet some of the most recognisable names working in design, architecture…

Bespoke luxury carpet manufacturer Tai Ping has opened a new showroom in the French capital’s first arrondissement. Designed by French-American architect and interior decorator Elliott Barnes, the new 500-squaremetre space is spread over two floors. ‘The starting point of this project was to give an artistic view to the famous know-how of Tai Ping,’ says Barnes. The voluminous space features high ceilings and generous windows that overlook the Place des Victoires and its bronze statue of Louis XIV. The space also introduces Tai Ping’s new ready-to-purchase rugs for retail customers, available in standard sizes and designs, but all made in the same noble material as any Tai Ping custom product. What’s more, the space is conveniently located in a neighbourhood already known for its wide range of textile trade showrooms. houseoftaiping.com…

EO × Tsukasa Goto Danish brand EO has teamed up with Milan-based Japanese designer Tsukasa Goto to form a match made in minimalist heaven. The SO table looks deceptively simple, belying its complex construction. So means ‘layers’ in Japanese, and the name represents the layers of time and history held within the travertine top, as well as the layers of lime wood used to construct the frame. eo.dk /tsukasagoto.com De La Espada × Neri&Hu Design and Research Office Neri&Hu’s new Petite chair for De La Espada was designed specifically for the duo’s recent restaurant project, PAPI in Paris. While the dining chair may be modest in size, it’s not short on personality. Made from solid wood with an upholstered seat, it’s available in three- or four-legged versions and a variety of finishes. delaespada.com /www.neriandhu.com Read more about…

A Tale of Warp and Weft: Fort Street Studio by Brad Davis & Janis Provisor (Rizzoli) Fort Street Studio was established by artists Janis Provisor and Brad Davis in 1996, after an earlier trip to China inspired them to return and begin creating luxurious silk rugs; their work marked the beginning of the painterly style in rug production and counts not only as a major innovation but as the genesis of some of the most finely crafted and beautiful rugs in the world. This book is a fitting marker of more than three decades of accomplishment. And while the large format gives appropriate weight to imagery, text is not neglected. The first section is given to four recent and archival essays (one by Davis) and an interview by Design Anthology editor-in-chief Suzy Annetta,…