Upcycled Echo Tepalcatl Caquiztli Tepoztli by Chao Yang and Yang Xiang is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl in Calchihchihualli Tlachihchihualiztli Competition Category.
IztacteocuitlatlCalchihchihualli· 2026
Upcycled Echo Tepalcatl Caquiztli Tepoztli
Client: Beihang University
Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl Winner in Calchihchihualli Category
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The Design
About Upcycled Echo Tepalcatl Caquiztli Tepoztli
Upcycled Echo ce tlacentlaliliztli tepalcatl caquiztli tepoztli (smart speakers) in ochichihualoc ica tepalcatl tlahcuilolamameh in omotlazqueh. Ompa Jingdezhen, ce macuilli por ciento in tepalcatl tlahcuilolamameh momayahui cecen xihuitl. Inin tlahcuilolamameh in occeppa mocuih motequih, occeppa mocentlaliah ihuan mopepechoah ipan chicahuac porcelana tepalcayotl, niman motlatlah ica huel melahuac totonqui inic mopalehuiz in ixco. In caquiztli tlatquitl in ihtec cah huel cualli quitemaca in tlatzotzonaliztli, ihuan inin tepoztli mocentlalia ihuan smartphones inic mocaquiz cuicatl ihuan inic tlahtolnanquiliz. Inin tlachihualiztli quitepitilia in tlazolli in quichihua tequitiloyan ihuan quicentlalia in tepalcatl huehuecayotl ihuan in axcan caquiztli tepozmatiliztli.
The Recognition
About the Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl
Upcycled Echo Tepalcatl Caquiztli Tepoztli ca in quicuic in Mahuizolli A' Design Award Iztacteocuitlatl, hueyi tlamahuizoliztli tlen momaca in huel yectli, tlanextic ihuan mahuiztic tlachihualli. In quicuicah Iztacteocuitlatl ca cenca cualli ihuan cenca yancuic tlachihualli in quinextia in tlamatiliztli, toltecayotl ihuan ixtlamatiliztli intlachihuanime. Ca quinequi in Upcycled Echo Tepalcatl Caquiztli Tepoztli ca cenca cualli, cenca motequiuhtia ihuan yancuic. Ni dizayno in quicuic Iztacteocuitlatl quihuelitia in toltecayotl, tlamatiliztli, dizayno ihuan teknolohia. Upcycled Echo Tepalcatl Caquiztli Tepoztli quiyolchicahua in tlacah, quipaquiltia ihuan quitlamahuiztiltia.
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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