Coastal Bam Prìomh-fheum: Crogan Salainn by Liang Hou

Coastal Bam Prìomh-fheum: Crogan Salainn by Liang Hou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 Duais Iarainn A' Design Award in Dealbhadh Uidheam Fuine, Soithichean Bùird, Soithichean Dibhe agus Uidheam Còcaireachd Competition Category.

IarannUidheam Cidsin· 2025

Coastal Bam Prìomh-fheum: Crogan Salainn

by Liang Hou

Client: Zhejiang University

Duais Iarainn A' Design Award Winner in Uidheam Cidsin 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 Prìomh-fheum: Crogan Salainn

Teacsa an Leabhair: 'S e crogan salainn a th' ann an Coastal Bam a chaidh a dhealbhadh gus sàile a chruinneachadh ann an sgìrean cladaich taobh an ear-dheas Shìona. Thathar a' cur salann garbh air an fhunail bhambù fhosgailte aig a' bhàrr agus ga thogail leis an làimh airson còcaireachd làitheil. Ann an èadhar tais, leaghaidh an salann garbh gu slaodach, agus tha an sàile a' dol tro dhà shìoltachan bambù fighte a tha a' sgaradh na truailleadh. Cleachdar an sàile glan an uairsin gus tofu agus toraidhean soighe eile a dhèanamh no gus biadh a bhlasachadh. Tha funailean bambù moso air am figheadh le làimh ceangailte ri botal aloidh alùmanaim a tha an-aghaidh creimeadh, le tomhas de 300 millilitear, a' ceangal ciùird ionadail ri obair làitheil sa chidsin.

The Recognition

About the Duais Iarainn A' Design Award

Tha Coastal Bam Prìomh-fheum: Crogan Salainn air Duais Iarainn A' Design Award a bhuannachadh, aithneachadh urramach a bheirear do dhealbhaidhean math a choinnicheas ris na riatanasan proifeiseanta is gnìomhachais a thathar a' sùileachadh bho chruthachaidhean a chaidh an dealbhadh gu math. Tha buannaichean Iarainn a' nochdadh sgil mhòr, speisealachadh àrd, tuigse eòlaiche agus comas cruthachail an luchd-cruthachaidh. Thathar an dùil gum bi Coastal Bam Prìomh-fheum: Crogan Salainn na chruthachadh air a bheil mòran meas, ion-mholta agus gràdhach a tha practaigeach agus ùr-ghnàthach. Tha an dealbhadh seo a bhuannaich Duais Iarainn A' Design Award a' cur nan cleachdaidhean as fheàrr sa ghnìomhachas còmhla agus tha feartan teignigeach comasach aige ceangailte ri eòlas-dèanamh agus tàlant. Tha meas air Coastal Bam Prìomh-fheum: Crogan Salainn airson a dhùrachd agus chaidh a dhealbhadh gus leasachaidhean càileachd beatha a thoirt seachad a chuidicheas le bhith a' dèanamh an t-saoghail na àite nas fheàrr.

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.