Bricks & Tiles Ballade
Dongpeng IW team and product logistics shape design team jointly launched a three-year research project on traditional Chinese ceramics with the themes of "brick and tile", "ceramic sand" and "porcelain" respectively, focusing on rock plate design, with the theme of "brick and tile" in the first year ". This project draws inspiration and innovates the design of traditional handicraft materials by exploring building materials and cultural characteristics across China.
We have investigated the building materials in the north and south, and analyzed the three-dimensional geometric non-fired rammed earth bricks in Xinjiang, colorful glazed tiles in Beijing, blue tiles in Anhui, Beijing bricks in Jiangsu, red bricks and red tiles in southern Fujian, and pottery and plastic brick carvings in Lingnan, all of which are important sources of inspiration for rock slab design. In the process of research, the team not only analyzed the craftsmanship of traditional materials in various places, but also handmade rock plate manuscripts in the way of traditional handicrafts in the creative practice, and refined the essence of these handicrafts through high and new technology. and realize modern industrial production.
This series of rock slab design is divided into four chapters in the form of narrative songs, showing the process of brick and tile from birth to masonry, decoration and time evolution, named "Bricks & Tiles Ballade".
The first chapter tells about the birth of bricks and tiles. Through the control of temperature and water injection, the color of the brick shows different regional characteristics. The red bricks in southern Fujian represent enthusiasm and eye-catching, while the gray bricks in the south of the Yangtze River show calmness and simplicity. In the design, the change of brick color from red to green is shown through gradual color change, reflecting the enthusiasm of water and fire. It also presents a mysterious and rhythmic visual effect through the rotation of the black line.
The second chapter is about the growth of bricks and tiles. In the process of drying and firing, the stacking of bricks and tiles presents the regularity of geometric form, which makes the bricks and tiles not only have practical functions, but also have aesthetic interest. The design inspiration also comes from the craftsmanship of brick carving artists, using geometric design language to create a simple and modern rock slab texture, aiming to bring emotional resonance in the arrangement of bricks and tiles to the experiencer.
The third chapter discusses the decoration of brick and tile. Brick carvings and clay sculptures in traditional buildings often carry symbolic meanings and good wishes. We draw inspiration from the two traditional statues of "Hehe Erxian" and "Dominant", and form them into modern geometric figures and integrate them into the rock plate design. At the same time, the common blue and red colors of Lingnan architecture are selected and transformed into contemporary colors for the presentation of decorative patterns.
The fourth chapter focuses on the baptism of time on bricks and tiles. With the passage of time, the surface of the brick is eroded by wind, frost, rain and snow, and the color gradually becomes darker, and natural textures and cracks appear. We show the process of natural change through design, so that the surface of the rock plate presents a mottled sense of hierarchy, as if the traces of the passage of time. The design expresses the aesthetic feeling of intertwined human and nature, and sets the transformation and rebirth of bricks and tiles in time.
Through this series of design, we hope to inherit and innovate Chinese traditional architectural culture, and give new life and emotion to rock slab design. In the history of brick and tile, it carries the imprint of region, culture and time, and these imprints will be passed to every experiencer through our design.
Dongpeng IW team and product logistics shape design team in cooperation, in-depth excavation of brick and tile this traditional element, to explore its culture and emotion. In the process of making bricks and tiles, we draw inspiration from folk labor and ancient handicrafts. What we also see is not only the construction of the physical world, but also the subtle relationship between man and nature, man and society, man and time.
Through the observation of different crafts in the north and south, we found the regional characteristics and humanistic color of brick and tile. We use romantic contrast and amplification techniques to give bricks and tiles more artistic expression, highlighting its beauty and emotional tension in the details. This is not only the sculpture of the object form, but also the reproduction of history and culture.
This creative practice closely combines the traditional spirit of Chinese design with contemporary needs, and bricks and tiles become a bridge between the past and the present. Through the design, we convey the simplicity and elegance of Chinese traditional culture, showing the organic integration of tradition and modernity, inheritance and innovation.
IW was founded in 2016 and is a high-end tile brand under Dongpeng Group.
Deeply study the three major relationships of "handicrafts and technology, man and nature, and the ground and the world", promote the integration of traditional crafts and modern design, and build a designer material aesthetic library.
Product logistics shape design studio, established in 2004.
Founder Zhang Lei (China),Jovana Zhang (Serbia),Christoph John (Germany), focused on the deconstruction of traditional Chinese handicrafts and materials, and applied them to furniture design, transportation, space design, art installation, product design and other fields.
