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Collection by Aaron Britt

From the Floor: Asia Now Exhibition

Last year at Dwell on Design our pals at Italian website designboom curated the wonderful show Kitchen Ecology. This year they’re back with a passel of new domestic products from all over Asia. The latest modern housewares from Iran to Singapore are on display, and I had a wander through the exhibit to call out a few of my favorites.

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Walking down the stalls of the Asia Now exhibit, I came across a wealth of canny design from across the massive continent. I also loved the setup of the exhibition itself, a tour of the best of Asia organized into what feel like high-design market stalls.
Walking down the stalls of the Asia Now exhibit, I came across a wealth of canny design from across the massive continent. I also loved the setup of the exhibition itself, a tour of the best of Asia organized into what feel like high-design market stalls.
From Singapore comes the lovely Koi Metal Fence Chair by Jarrod Lim. I love the geometric repetition of the design, whose stark metal lines are cut with just a touch of whimsy: small cloth ties.
From Singapore comes the lovely Koi Metal Fence Chair by Jarrod Lim. I love the geometric repetition of the design, whose stark metal lines are cut with just a touch of whimsy: small cloth ties.
The curving pattern of the metalwork softens what could be an overly hard design. It would work equally well inside or out.
The curving pattern of the metalwork softens what could be an overly hard design. It would work equally well inside or out.
The Rack Your Brain coatrack offers a bit of functional camouflage: pull down the hooks for your gear, fold them up for a bit of wall art. It’s in the Singapore booth and from designer Tomohiko Sato for Foundry.
The Rack Your Brain coatrack offers a bit of functional camouflage: pull down the hooks for your gear, fold them up for a bit of wall art. It’s in the Singapore booth and from designer Tomohiko Sato for Foundry.
I love this simple metal frame tricked out with a welter of untreated dowels from Kenneth Cobonpue are in the booth from the Philippines.
I love this simple metal frame tricked out with a welter of untreated dowels from Kenneth Cobonpue are in the booth from the Philippines.
The Dragnet Lounge Chair is also by Kenneth Cobonpue. Nice stuff.
The Dragnet Lounge Chair is also by Kenneth Cobonpue. Nice stuff.
The F/K/A Table Lamp by Jonah Takagi is in the Japanese booth. Takagi, a nice guy who made it to the show, actually lives and works in Washington DC.
The F/K/A Table Lamp by Jonah Takagi is in the Japanese booth. Takagi, a nice guy who made it to the show, actually lives and works in Washington DC.
I really like this biodegradable tableware by Ogata Shinichiro for Wasara in the Japanese booth. It appears so fragile, yet will surely stand up to any picnickers. And there’s little need to worry about disposal.
I really like this biodegradable tableware by Ogata Shinichiro for Wasara in the Japanese booth. It appears so fragile, yet will surely stand up to any picnickers. And there’s little need to worry about disposal.
A trio of Real Moss Garden Tables by Pawinee Santisiri of Ayodhya enlivens the Thai booth of Asia Now. A handsome and verdant addition to any space.
A trio of Real Moss Garden Tables by Pawinee Santisiri of Ayodhya enlivens the Thai booth of Asia Now. A handsome and verdant addition to any space.
My favorite entry in the Korean booth is from Sooho Haam, the articulated Occasional Table from the Zig Collection.
My favorite entry in the Korean booth is from Sooho Haam, the articulated Occasional Table from the Zig Collection.
There are two pieces from the Chinese booth that I really liked, one of which is the wooden and metal Copine Chair from Sean Dix with Keikko Lee. The mix of natural and polished is quite nice, and makes me wish I’d had one of these in elementary school.
There are two pieces from the Chinese booth that I really liked, one of which is the wooden and metal Copine Chair from Sean Dix with Keikko Lee. The mix of natural and polished is quite nice, and makes me wish I’d had one of these in elementary school.
Finally, in a very Chia move, the Green Trace Umbrella Stand absorbs the water that drips off your umbrella and uses it to sprout small patches of greenery. A fine addition to any foyer!
Finally, in a very Chia move, the Green Trace Umbrella Stand absorbs the water that drips off your umbrella and uses it to sprout small patches of greenery. A fine addition to any foyer!