Coastal Bam Fanaovana Sira by Liang Hou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Vy in Famolavolana Fitaovana Fanendasana, Latabatra, Fisotroana ary Fahandro Competition Category.

VyFitaovan-dakozia· 2025

Coastal Bam Fanaovana Sira

by Liang Hou

Client: Zhejiang University

A' Design Award Vy Winner in Fitaovan-dakozia 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 Coastal Bam Fanaovana Sira

Coastal Bam dia tavoahangy fanangonana ranomasina masira natao ho an'ny faritra amoron-dranomasina any atsimo-atsinanan'i Shina. Ny sira sompotra dia apetraka eo amin'ny lasitra volotara misokatra eo ambony ary raisina amin'ny tanana ho an'ny fahandroana isan'andro. Amin'ny rivotra mando, ny sira sompotra dia mihamandifotra tsikelikely, ary ny rano masina dia mandalo amin'ny sivana volotara mifamahofaho roa izay manasaraka ny loto. Ny rano masina madio dia ampiasaina avy eo hanaovana tao-hoho sy vokatra soà hafa, na hanitsahana sakafo. Ny lasitra volotara moso natao tanana dia ampifandraisina amin'ny tavoahangy vy fanaton'aliminioma tsy mety harafesina, mitentina 300 mililitatra, mampifandray ny asa tanana any an-toerana amin'ny asa an-dakozia isan'andro.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Vy

Nandresy ny A' Design Award Vy ny famolavolana Coastal Bam Fanaovana Sira, fankasitrahana malaza omena ny famolavolana tsara izay mahafeno ny fepetra ara-barotra sy ara-indostria andrasana amin'ny famoronana natao tsara. Ny mpandresy Vy dia mampiseho fahaiza-manao lehibe, fahaizana manokana ambony, fahatakarana manam-pahaizana ary fahaizana mamorona an'ireo mpamorona azy. Andrasana ho famoronana ankasitrahana be, ankafizina ary tiana izay azo ampiharina sady vaovao ny famolavolana Coastal Bam Fanaovana Sira. Ity famolavolana nandresy ny A' Design Award Vy ity dia mampiray ny fomba fanao tsara indrindra amin'ny indostria ary manana toetra ara-teknika mahomby mifandray amin'ny fahalalana sy ny talenta. Ny famolavolana Coastal Bam Fanaovana Sira dia hajaina noho ny fitandremany ary natao hanome fanatsarana ny kalitaon'ny fiainana izay manampy hahatonga ny tontolo ho toerana tsara kokoa.

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.