Five "unconventional" projects by Dezeen Awards China judge Mario Tsai

Chinese designer Mario Tsai, founder of research-design practice Mario Tsai Studio, has joined Dezeen Awards China 2024 as a judge. Here he selects five projects that best reflect his work.

Unconstrained by conventional methods, the studio "uses rigorous logic coupled with a fluid sense of artistry to present their works, whether in the form of products, installations, strategies or exhibitions," Tsai told Dezeen.

Tsai won Designer of the Year at Dezeen Awards China 2023. He was commended for "his dedication to exploring new technology and unconventional materials, which has elevated his work in innovative and surprising ways."

Mario Tsai among Dezeen Awards China 2024 judges.

Dezeen Awards China 2024 has launched in partnership with Bentley. Our complete judging panel has been revealed, including Japanese architect Sou Fujimoto, Stirling Prize-winning architect Amanda Levete, AIM Architecture founders Vincent de Graaf and Wendy Saunders and Atelier Tao+C founders Tao Liu and Chunyan Cai.

The entry deadline for Dezeen Awards China 2024 is this Friday 23 August. Register your details and submit your projects by then to avoid late entry fees, which will run until 30 August.

Read on to find Mario Tsai's views on the five projects that best reflect his work:

Mazha Lighting System, 2018

"We explored modular system design in the studio's first self-driven research project, using the traditional Chinese mazha chair as our structural inspiration.

"The light system has a low-voltage transmission, allowing it to be free from electrical wires. It contains only three components, the wireless tube, metal connectors and steel wire ends, which are used as a basic module to form unlimited scales and shapes.

"A further exploration of the sustainable design concept of the studio, the lighting system needs very little packaging, has extremely low transport costs and is replaceable by parts, rather than the whole product."

Read more about the Mazha Lighting System ›

Origin Furniture Collection, 2021

"While developments in modern technology and tools have undoubtedly enhanced convenience, they have also begun to impinge upon our human instincts and sensitivities.

"In primitive times axes and fire were the fundamental tools of human civilisation. We used the services of a carpenter from the rural areas of Hangzhou, who employed organic techniques including log-cutting and fire-burning to shape and colour the furniture.

"All the processes involved in the completion of the project were based on intuitive human wisdom.

"Exploring the concept of locality in contemporary design, we used local craft tools and methods and scraps left over from lumber mills, selected to the right size without the need to rework the lengths."

Soft Collection, 2022

"The Soft Collection is the result of a research project on the theme of 'soft power'.

"The resulting works seamlessly fuse the conflicting characteristics of the words 'soft' and 'power', resulting in pieces with tension and uniqueness.

"The Soft Collection combines the processes of garment and industrial product production, shaping elastic materials by point pulling to present natural and elegant lines and tense forms."

Pagoda, 2023

"Inspired by the traditional pagoda towers of the Han and Tang dynasties, the light is a stacked structure with modular properties.

"Combining modern industrial methods with traditional structures can create new forms of beauty. As a product of modern industry, the tower lamp still retains the characteristics of classical Chinese design.

"The use of custom die-casting moulds greatly reduces material wastage and labour costs while expressing a precise, formal aesthetic.

"Each module of the Pagoda lamp emits light evenly and has a non-direct, hidden light source, creating a soft and cosy atmosphere."

Sparks, 2024

"In the stone age humans utilised stone tools to create fire. I imagine the ephemeral flames were a source of beauty and the sound of crashing stone was crisp and pleasant to the ear.

"In the modern electronic age where technology has become ubiquitous, the sounds and sights generated by human beings' primitive instincts are especially rare and precious.

"Moved by wind or through human touch, the poised metal chimes sway with elegant fluidity. When they collide with one another, they produce bursts of light reminiscent of sparks and crisp, natural crashing sounds.

"As time passes the sparkling lights and sound of the impacts fade until they disappear, indicating the completion of the transmission of power."

Enter now!

Dezeen Awards China 2024 is open for entries. Find out about all of this year's categories and log in or create an account to start your entries. Enter before 23 August to avoid late entry fees.

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Dezeen Awards China 2024 in partnership with Bentley

Dezeen Awards China is the first regional edition of Dezeen Awards which celebrates the best architecture, interiors and design in China. The annual awards programme is in partnership with Bentley as part of a wider collaboration to inspire, support and champion design excellence and showcase innovation that creates a better and more sustainable world. This ambition complements Bentley's architecture and design business initiatives, including the Bentley Home range of furnishings and real estate projects around the world.

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