HsiangChih Design has designed A Seamless Paper, a lighting design based on traditional Tibetan paper.

This lighting design retains traditional Tibetan paper in its uncut form, transforming it into a lighting fixture to explore the poetic relationship between material, culture, and contemporary design.

This paper holds special cultural significance locally, often used as a carrier of divine imagery or scriptures and is kept whole during both its production and usage.

Out of respect for the material, artisans refrain from cutting the paper, preserving its integrity. This indivisibility not only imposes natural limitations on its application but also highlights its aesthetic potential.

The designer integrates the cultural significance of this material with contemporary design practices, utilising a metal frame structure to create a lighting fixture that centres around an uncut sheet of Tongluo Gabu.

The paper, when gently pressed and supported by the frame, emits a soft yet resilient light.

Once disassembled, users are left with a complete sheet of Tongluo Gabu, preserving the material’s unique integrity and cultural value.

This project has been shortlisted in the lighting design category of Dezeen Awards China 2024.

Studio: HsiangChih Design
Project: A Seamless Paper
Credits: Metuo County Qiu Zhu Paper Workshop