EXPLORING THE VITALITY OF DESIGN THROUGH THE INTERWEAVING OF RATIONALITY AND SENSIBILITY – DIALOGUE WITH DESIGNER ZHAO YUN: THE DESIGN PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THE ‘BREAKING’ COLLECTION

During the recently concluded 2025 Shenzhen Furniture Design Week and the 40^th Shenzhen International Furniture Exhibition, Mr. Zhao Yun, founder of the home furnishing brand TIWUWORKS, was awarded the dual honors of ‘Designer of the Year’ and ‘Best Lifestyle Design Product’. The award-winning works were the collection of ‘Breaking’, which had previously debuted at the ‘Echoes of the Woods’ sustainable American hardwood contemporary design exhibition.

Examining the relationship between tradition and modernity from a unique perspective, and finding the balance point between the essence of materials and technological innovation, the   ‘Breaking’ collection prompts deep contemplation from viewers with its unconventional forms: when lines intersect and expressions are exposed, can design also grow organically like life itself?

Structure: The ‘Rational’ Logic Validated by Time

“One of the core principles of design lies in structure, and structure must be able to withstand the test of time.” This is a core emphasis that Zhao Yun repeatedly stresses in his design approach. 

Following his previous original work, the ‘Concentrated Ink’ collection, Zhao has boldly continued to investigate furniture structure within contemporary manufacturing methods. In doing so, he has gradually discovered that the defining factors of a successful structure are not cultural or human, but rather time-tested. Only through long-term validation can a stable and rational structural form endure widespread adoption.

In the connection elements of the ‘Breaking’, Zhao abandoned the conventional parallel design approach of furniture, and instead constructed the main body using intersecting vertical and horizontal lines. These seemingly disordered lines actually conceal an underlying mechanical logic – each small triangular unit interlocks with the others, forming a stable support structure system. 

The inspiration for this structure also stems from his prior research into representative historical works. “From ancient ceramics to Song dynasty furnishings, the objects that have endured to this day are invariably those that exhibit the mastery of structural rationality.” Zhao stated.

Materials: Endowing ‘Emotionality’ with Expressive Charm

Upon closer appreciation of the three works of the ‘Breaking’, one can recognize that they have all been invested with different vital qualities: the hallway console ‘detaches’ from the angled surface, signifying the balance after breaking free from constraints; the sideboard embodies both ‘my past self’ and ‘my present self’, carrying the burdens and transformations of change; the coffee table’s staggered base heights subtly imply the intergenerational support within a family. Zhao admits that these emotive readings are rooted in his personal reflections, and each viewer can develop their own interpretation.

This pursuit of ‘implicit narratives’ is also reflected in his use of materials. The American red oak selected for this collection has a moderate hardness, allowing for the combined application of brushing and polishing techniques on the surface to fully exhibit the material’s multifaceted characteristics. The rugged grain of the American red oak is intentionally preserved, with the brushing process accentuating the density variations arising from the wood’s daily and seasonal growth. “The coarseness and delicacy of the wood are both manifested in my works, like the two sides of life – contradictory yet symbiotic.” Zhao said.

In his view, the stability of American red oak and the malleability of the techniques form a wonderful complement – the hardness of the red oak provides reliable structural assurance, while its inherent warmth dissipates the coldness of industrial technology, which is also a reflection of his quest for balance between the rational and the sensory.

Design: A Pure Exploration Beyond the Human Element

As an extension of the ‘Concentrated Ink’ collection, the ‘Breaking’ represents Zhao’s innovative effort to subtract design elements. He has deliberately stripped away the direct manifestation of human symbols, reverting to a more essential exploration – reconstructing the design logic solely upon the foundations of structure, materials, and techniques. His intention is to demonstrate that even when divested of human emotionality, the pure aesthetic of structure can still evoke a response in people.

Behind this concept is actually the transformation brought about by tool and technology innovations. “The emergence of 5-axis machining has allowed design and production to move beyond just cutting and assembling, transitioning to a new fundamental logic of grinding and polishing surfaces.” Zhao introduced.

Using American red oak as an example, Zhao explains that traditional craftsmanship relied on cutting and reassembly, while modern technology enables curved surface grinding, reconciling the ‘stability’ and ‘dynamism’ of the wood. 

He believes that contemporary designers should focus more on leveraging modern techniques to unleash the potential of materials, just as traditional mortise-and-tenon structures may not need to be intentionally hidden in the modern era, as exposed structures can also serve as an aesthetic expression.

The Future: The Sustainability and Potentials of Wood

Discussing the application trends of wood in home design, Zhao has his own considerations and perspectives: “Wood is a time-honored, traditional premium material, but the tools and mindset of us designers must evolve with the times.” 

He notes that the rich diversity and fast-replenishing sustainable qualities of American hardwoods afford designers multiple options, yet their eco-friendly attributes and artistic potential remain underexplored. The development of techniques will undoubtedly grant wood further application possibilities, and what he aims to do now is to hopefully bequeath some works of reference value for future generations.

Recalling the scene of the ‘Echoes of the Woods’ exhibition in Shanghai last September, visitors paused before the ‘Breaking’ collection, touching the textures of the wood and contemplating the lines’ trajectories. Some perceived the interplay of rationality and sensibility, others felt the intuitive tension of the design, and some pondered the underlying metaphors. Zhao has chosen to return the interpretive power to the viewers, which is also his expectation: The meaning of the work lies not in the designer’s preconceptions, but in the viewers’ own lived experiences.

Mirroring the description of the ‘Breaking’ collection – “Endlessly pursuing within the cycle may be the meaning of life.”