Coastal Bam وعاء الملح by Liang Hou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 جائزة A' Design Award الحديدية in تصميم أدوات الخَبز والمائدة والشرب والطهي Competition Category.

حديدأدوات المطبخ· 2025

Coastal Bam وعاء الملح

by Liang Hou

Client: Zhejiang University

جائزة A' Design Award الحديدية Winner in أدوات المطبخ Category

10,536
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #165829

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Coastal Bam وعاء الملح

"كوستال بام" هو وعاء ملح مُصمَّم لجمع المحلول الملحي في المناطق الساحلية بجنوب شرق الصين. يُوضع الملح الخشن في القمع العلوي المفتوح المصنوع من الخيزران، ويُغرف باليد للاستخدام في الطهي اليومي. وفي الأجواء الرطبة يتميّع الملح الخشن ببطء، فينساب المحلول الملحي عبر مِصفاتين منسوجتين من الخيزران تفصلان الشوائب. ثم يُستخدم المحلول الملحي النقي في صناعة التوفو وغيره من منتجات فول الصويا أو في تتبيل الطعام. وتُوصل أقماع خيزران الموسو المنسوجة يدويًا بزجاجة من سبيكة الألومنيوم المقاومة للتآكل سعتها 300 مليلتر، بما يربط حرفة محلية بمَهمّة مطبخية يومية.

The Recognition

About the جائزة A' Design Award الحديدية

Coastal Bam وعاء الملح هو فائز بجائزة A' Design Award الحديدية، وهي تقدير مرموق يُمنح للتصاميم الجيدة التي تلبّي المتطلبات المهنية والصناعية المنتظرة من الإبداعات حسنة التصميم. ويُظهر الفائزون بالحديدية مهارة كبيرة وتخصصًا عاليًا وفهمًا خبيرًا وقدرة إبداعية لدى صنّاعهم. ويُتوقع أن يكون Coastal Bam وعاء الملح إبداعًا عالي التقدير ومحل إعجاب وحب، عمليًا ومبتكرًا. وهذا التصميم الفائز بجائزة A' Design Award الحديدية يدمج أفضل ممارسات القطاع، وله خصائص تقنية كفؤة ترتبط بالدراية والموهبة. ويحظى Coastal Bam وعاء الملح بالاحترام لدقته، وقد صُمّم لتقديم تحسينات لجودة الحياة تساعد على جعل العالم مكانًا أفضل.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: CoastalBam Jar is a salt container designed for Chinese coastal communities to collect brine from coarse salt used in tofu and soy product preparation. It integrates dual bamboo weaving filters with a metal vessel to improve durability and hygiene. Drawing from regional customs and Feng Shui principles, the design modernizes tradition while ensuring cultural relevance and everyday usability.
Dimensions & Packaging: Overall Height: 12.00 cm
Crystal Funnel Diameter: 16.00 cm
Crystal Funnel Height: 2.50 cm
Filter Funnel Diameter: 10.00 cm
Filter Funnel Height: 8.00 cm
Metal Bottle Opening Diameter: 10.00 cm
Metal Bottle Bottom Diameter: 6.00 cm
Metal Bottle Capacity: 300 ml
Bamboo Weaving Filter Aperture: 2 mm (Crystal Funnel), 0.5 mm (Filter Funnel)
Bamboo Weaving Funnel Material: Southeast Coastal Moso Bamboo
Metal Bottle Material: Aluminum Alloy (Corrosion-resistant Treatment)
Weight: Approx. 500 g
Color: Natural Bamboo Color, Green (Plastic Ring)
Tags: Bamboo weaving, folklore, kitchenware, fishermen, salt pot
Production Technology: CoastalBam Jar combines traditional handmade bamboo weaving with modern metal processing technology. The bamboo weaving part adopts hexagonal holes and cross weaving method, which not only enhances the air permeability and filtration effect, but also ensures the smooth flow of brine. The metal bottle body is closely integrated with the bamboo weaving part through precise CNC processing.
Design Challenge: The most challenging aspect of this project was mastering the bamboo weaving techniques. As a beginner in this ancient intangible cultural heritage craft, I initially felt overwhelmed by the vastly different rules of each weaving method. Under the guidance of traditional artisans, I practiced tirelessly—from cross weaving to trapezoidal weaving, and finally to hexagonal weaving. My fingers were cut countless times during this process. Ultimately, I mastered each method and understood their unique characteristics, allowing me to seamlessly integrate this ancient craft into the design.
Research: This design research is an applied ethnographic study aimed at improving tools for coastal fishermen. The goal was to create a sustainable salt jar that aligns with traditional practices while solving issues like brine contamination. Through fieldwork and material testing, we identified challenges in fishermen’s cooking routines. The Brine Jar features an open-mouth design, inspired by fishermen’s habit of using their fingers to measure salt and the tradition of leaving coarse salt for Feng Shui purposes. We also explored bamboo weaving techniques to integrate them into the design.
Inspiration: Inspired by traditional fishermen in southeastern China, this design addresses the local practice of collecting brine from deliquescent coarse salt, which contains magnesium chloride impurities. To support this sustainable process, porous salt jars are crafted using regional bamboo weaving techniques. Bamboo, known for its flexibility and fast growth, is deeply rooted in the local culture and offers an eco-friendly solution for effective brine filtration.
Project Duration: This project commenced in January 2024 in Ningbo, Zhejiang, China, and was completed in March 2024 in Xiangshan, a traditional fishing village in Zhejiang. Following its completion, the design received the prestigious Red Dot Design Award in June 2024, recognizing its innovative approach and cultural significance. In October 2024, the project was showcased at the Red Dot Museum in Singapore.
Operation Flow: Step 1: The user places the coarse salt on top of the crystal funnel and uses their hand to scoop the salt for daily cooking.
Step 2: In the humid coastal environment, the coarse salt gradually deliquesces, and the brine flows into the filter funnel, where impurities are further separated to yield clean brine.
Step 3: The user uses the collected brine to make traditional soy products or season food.
Team Members: Liang Hou
Wenqi Wu
Yichen Chen
Hanshu Shen
Image Credits: Image #1: Creator LiangHou, CoastalBam Jar, 2024.
Image #2: Creator LiangHou, CoastalBam Jar, 2024.
Image #3: Creator LiangHou, CoastalBam Jar, 2024.
Image #4: Creator LiangHou, CoastalBam Jar, 2024.
Image #5: Creator LiangHou, CoastalBam Jar, 2024.