Upcycled Echo He Pūoro Uku by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Hiriwa in Hoahoa Taputapu Kāinga Competition Category.
HiriwaTaputapu Kāinga· 2026
Upcycled Echo He Pūoro Uku
Client: Beihang University
A' Design Award Hiriwa Winner in Taputapu Kāinga Category
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- Verified Award Winner
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The Design
About Upcycled Echo He Pūoro Uku
Ko Upcycled Echo he huinga pūoro atamai uku i hangaia mai i ngā whakaahua piri uku kua whiua atu. I Jingdezhen, tata ki te 5 ōrau o ngā whakaahua piri uku ka whiua atu ia tau. Ka tapahia, ka whakakotahitia anō, ka whakapiria hoki ēnei whakaahua piri kua whakahokia mai ki runga i ngā anga pōhūtukawa (porcelain) pakari, kātahi ka tahuna ki te ahi mā te tino tika kia tiakina ai te mata. Ko ngā wāhanga oro pono kua whakaurua ka whakarato i te oro taurite, ā, ka hono ngā pūoro ki ngā waea atamai mō te whakatangi puoro me te tauwhitiwhiti ā-reo. Ka whakaheke te hoahoa nei i te para ahumahi, ā, ka hono i ngā tikanga tuku iho o te mahi uku ki te hangarau oro o nāianei.
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award Hiriwa
Ko Upcycled Echo He Pūoro Uku te toa o te A' Design Award Hiriwa, he whakaaetanga tino whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa taumata teitei rawa, ātaahua me te whakamīharo. Ko ngā toa Hiriwa he mahi tino kanapa, tino auaha e whakaatu ana i te mātanga, te pūmanawa me te mōhio hōhonu o ā rātou kaihoahoa. E tūmanakohia ana ko Upcycled Echo He Pūoro Uku he mahi whakamīharo, he tauira, he tino ngaio, he auaha hōhonu. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Hiriwa he hanganga rongonui, whakamīharotia e whai wāhi ana ki te whakawhānui i ngā rohe o te toi, te pūtaiao, te hoahoa me te hangarau. Ko Upcycled Echo He Pūoro Uku he mahi e hae ana te tini, e whakaara ana i ngā hiahia, e kawe mai ana i ngā kare-ā-roto pai, ā, e whakaoho ana i te mīharo.
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.
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