Highly commended: Furniture design of the year. Yihu has developed Forestrest, a series of furniture inspired by the Oroqen people and their craftsmanship.

The series of works is inspired by the handicrafts of the ancient Oroqen ethnic minority in the north and reflects on the impact of consumerism since the Industrial Revolution.

It uses the most unpretentious bark texture to pay tribute to the gradually disappearing safari lifestyle and culture.

The Forestrest series retains the outermost texture of the birch tree, draws on the traditional bark-splicing skills of ethnic minorities and gives it a new form and expression.

"This is not only an inheritance of past craftsmanship, but also an innovative dialogue between culture and natural aesthetics," said Yihu.

Judges comments: “We were attracted to the intriguing and intricate surface patterning of this collection and the fact that waning local and indigenous crafts from a remote region of Northern China were applied to a contemporary design. We commend their conviction to keep the craft alive.”

Studio: Yihu
Project: Forestrest
Credits: Sarina