these portable partitions are a modern reinterpretation of traditional chinese screens

humble yet elegant ‘looming screen’ series

inspired by the shadow of trees on the wall, designer zhou xiaying created ‘looming screen’ series — for furniture brand ziihome — reinterpreting the traditional chinese screens in a modern way. these humble yet elegant portable partitions are reminiscent of a floor mirror‘s form that hides completely or partly what is behind. ‘looming screen’ avoids complicated and extra decoration of common chinese screens, whereas by employing simple lines and warm material, forms an elegant oriental space.all images courtesy of zhou xiaying

applying simple lines and warm materials

a wooden frame with gently curved corners is clad with rattan or cloth surface while resting on a goldish metal oval base. the designer used the shape of the traditional single-sided screen to create two one-sided surfaces; the rattan serves as semi-transparent material while the cloth one can reflect the shadows of the objects around revealing their appearance. ‘just like water taking the shape of its container, the formless space is given a form by screens.’

restaurant scene

the cloth screen can reflect the shadow of objects

cozy background

commercial space usage scenarios

‘looming screen’ collection

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light grey cloth

it creates a shadow play

semi-transparent material

 

 

project info:

name: looming screen
designer: zhou xiaying

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edited by: christina petridou | designboom