Upcycled Echo Keramyske Speaker by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang

Upcycled Echo Keramyske Speaker by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award yn Sulver in Húsguod Ûntwerp Competition Category.

SulverHúsguod· 2026

Upcycled Echo Keramyske Speaker

by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang

Client: Beihang University

A' Design Award yn Sulver Winner in Húsguod Category

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Verified Award Winner
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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Upcycled Echo Keramyske Speaker

Upcycled Echo is in searje keramyske smart speakers makke fan ôfdankte keramyske dekals. Yn Jingdezhen wurdt alle jierren sa'n 5 prosint fan de keramyske dekals fuortsmiten. Dizze weromwûne dekals wurde knipt, opnij kombinearre en as collage oanbrocht op duorsume porsleinen skalen, dêrnei mei hege presyzje bakt om it oerflak te beskermjen. Yntegrearre hifi-komponinten soargje foar in lykwichtich lûd, en de speakers ferbine mei smartphones foar it ôfspyljen fan muzyk en stiminteraksje. It ûntwerp ferminderet yndustrieel ôffal en ferbynt de keramyske tradysje mei moderne audiotechnology.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award yn Sulver

Upcycled Echo Keramyske Speaker is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Sulver, in bûtengewoan prestisjeuze erkenning foar topûntwerpen dy't prachtich en yndrukwekkend binne. Sulverwinners binne tige briljante en ekstreem kreative wurken dy't de treflike ekspertize, it talint en de skerpsinnigens fan har ûntwerpers yllustrearje. Fan Upcycled Echo Keramyske Speaker wurdt ferwachte dat it in prachtich foarbyldwurk is, opmerklik profesjoneel en djip ynnovatyf. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Sulver is in tige opfallende, bewûndere útfining dy't foardiel bringt en de grinzen fan keunst, wittenskip, ûntwerp en technology ferleget. Upcycled Echo Keramyske Speaker is in skepping dêr't breed oerjûn wurdt, dy't winsken wekker makket, positive gefoelens bringt en ferwûnderjen en fernuvering opwekket.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This design transforms discarded ceramic decals into handcrafted HiFi ceramic speakers through artistic collage. By upcycling industrial waste, it reduces environmental impact while creating unique surfaces and strong cultural identity. Integrating durable ceramic craftsmanship with modern acoustic technology, it delivers high-quality sound and meaningful sustainable value.
Dimensions & Packaging: 50 x 50 mm x 60 mm
Tags: Ceramic Speakers, Smart Audio, HiFi Sound, Upcycled Materials, Sustainability, Jingdezhen Ceramic, Handcrafted Collage, Cultural Heritage, Interactive Design, Eco-friendly Design
Production Technology: The speakers are handcrafted from reclaimed ceramic decals, which are cut, recombined, and collaged onto durable porcelain shells. High-precision ceramic firing ensures surface integrity, while integrated HiFi components provide balanced acoustic performance. The process merges traditional ceramic craftsmanship with modern audio engineering, enabling compact, ergonomic, and visually unique speakers that combine sustainability, aesthetics, and functionality.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was transforming discarded ceramic decals into functional, aesthetic HiFi speakers. Internally, we balanced tradition, cultural motifs, and modern design. Externally, constraints included industrial waste quality, material durability, and integrating audio technology. Overcoming these required iterative prototyping, precise collage techniques, and collaboration with local artisans to merge craftsmanship, sustainability, and high-quality sound.
Research: This design research is a sustainability-driven, applied study aiming to reduce ceramic decal waste and explore cultural innovation. Using field surveys, interviews with Jingdezhen artisans, and analysis of industrial waste data, we identified that about 5% of decals are discarded annually. Experiments with collage techniques and prototype speakers demonstrated functional, artistic upcycling. The insights show that combining tradition with modern technology can create socially and environmentally responsible products, impacting design, culture, and sustainable business practices.
Inspiration: Inspired by Jingdezhen’s ceramic industry, where about 5% of decals are discarded annually, this project transforms waste into artistic HiFi speakers. Recombining and handcrafting motifs merges traditional ceramic heritage with modern design, promoting sustainability, cultural preservation, and playful, meaningful interaction.
Project Duration: The project started in April 2025 in Jingdezhen and finished in September 2025 in Jingdezhen.
Operation Flow: This is a series of ceramic smart speakers that connect to smartphones, delivering high-fidelity (HiFi) music playback and voice interaction, providing users with a versatile audio experience.
Team Members: Designer: Chao Yang
Designer: Yang Xiang
Designer: Qiang Sun
Designer: Chunlong Xiang
Image Credits: Image #Main Image: Designer Chao Yang, Upcycled Echo, 2025.
Image #1: Designer Chun Long, Upcycled Echo, 2025.
Image #2: Designer Qiang Sun, Upcycled Echo, 2025.
Image #3: Designer Chao Yang, Upcycled Echo, 2025.
Image #4: Designer Chao Yang, Upcycled Echo, 2025.