Coastal Bam 盐罐 by Liang Hou is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award 铁奖 in 烘焙用具、餐具、饮具与炊具设计 Competition Category.

铁厨具· 2025

Coastal Bam 盐罐

by Liang Hou

Client: Zhejiang University

A' Design Award 铁奖 Winner in 厨具 Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #165829

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Coastal Bam 盐罐

海滨竹盐罐是一款专为收集中国东南沿海地区盐卤而设计的盐罐。粗盐置于敞口的上部竹漏斗中,可用手取出用于日常烹饪。在潮湿的空气中,粗盐会缓慢潮解,盐卤随后流经两层编织竹质滤网,滤除杂质。滤净后的盐卤可用于制作豆腐等豆制品,或用于食物调味。手工编织的毛竹漏斗与一个容量300毫升、耐腐蚀的铝合金瓶身相连接,将当地传统手工艺与日常厨房事务巧妙结合。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 铁奖

Coastal Bam 盐罐是 A' Design Award 铁奖得主，这是授予满足人们对设计精良的创作所期待的专业与工业要求的优良设计的声望认可。铁奖得主展现出其创作者的高超技艺、高度专业化、专家级的理解力和创造能力。预计Coastal Bam 盐罐将成为一件备受推崇、令人钦佩且被珍爱的创作，既实用又创新。这件赢得 A' Design Award 铁奖的设计整合了行业最佳实践，并拥有与专业知识和才华相结合的称职技术特性。Coastal Bam 盐罐因其严谨而受到尊重，旨在提供有助于让世界变得更美好的生活品质改善。

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.