Coastal Bam Pangunahing Tungkulin: Banga ng Asin by Liang Hou

Coastal Bam Pangunahing Tungkulin: Banga ng Asin by Liang Hou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award na Bakal in Disenyo ng Panghinurno, Kagamitang Panghapag, Pang-inom at Pangluto Competition Category.

BakalKagamitang Pangkusina· 2025

Coastal Bam Pangunahing Tungkulin: Banga ng Asin

by Liang Hou

Client: Zhejiang University

A' Design Award na Bakal Winner in Kagamitang Pangkusina 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 Pangunahing Tungkulin: Banga ng Asin

Teksto ng Aklat: Ang Coastal Bam ay isang banga ng asin na idinisenyo upang mangalap ng tubig-alat sa mga baybaying lugar ng timog-silangang Tsina. Inilalagay ang magaspang na asin sa bukas na itaas na bambong funnel at isinasandok gamit ang kamay para sa pang-araw-araw na pagluluto. Sa mahalumigmig na hangin, dahan-dahang natutunaw ang magaspang na asin, at ang tubig-alat ay dumadaan sa dalawang hinabing bambong salaan na naghihiwalay sa mga karumihan. Ang malinis na tubig-alat ay ginagamit pagkatapos upang gumawa ng tokwa at iba pang produktong yari sa soya, o upang timplahan ang pagkain. Ang mga hinabing-kamay na moso bamboo funnel ay isinasama sa isang bote na yari sa aluminum alloy na lababan sa kalawang, may kapasidad na 300 mililitro, na nag-uugnay sa isang lokal na sining ng paggawa sa isang pang-araw-araw na gawain sa kusina.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award na Bakal

Ang Coastal Bam Pangunahing Tungkulin: Banga ng Asin ay nagwagi ng A' Design Award na Bakal, isang prestihiyosong pagkilalang iginagawad sa mga mahuhusay na disenyong tumutugon sa mga propesyonal at pang-industriyang kinakailangang inaasahan sa mga mahusay na pagkakadisenyong likha. Ang mga nagwagi ng Bakal ay nagpapakita ng dakilang husay, mataas na espesyalisasyon, dalubhasang pag-unawa at kakayahang malikhain ng kanilang mga lumikha. Inaasahang ang Coastal Bam Pangunahing Tungkulin: Banga ng Asin ay isang lubos na pinahahalagahan, hinahangaan at minamahal na likhang praktikal at makabago. Ang disenyong ito na nagwagi ng A' Design Award na Bakal ay nagsasama ng pinakamahuhusay na kasanayan ng industriya at may mahuhusay na katangiang teknikal na may kasamang kaalaman at talento. Ang Coastal Bam Pangunahing Tungkulin: Banga ng Asin ay iginagalang dahil sa kaingatan nito at idinisenyo upang maghatid ng mga pagpapabuti sa kalidad ng buhay na tumutulong gawing mas mabuting lugar ang mundo.

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.