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Host collection by Sebastian Herkner for Stellar Works

Design Shanghai trade show returns with focus on regenerative design

Promotion: Design Shanghai returns to present a host of Chinese and international brands alongside a cultural programme exploring how design can have a positive impact on people and the planet.

Taking place from 3 to 6 June at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, Design Shanghai will present over 400 local and international brands across eight different sections.

The trade show will be complemented by a range of installations, exhibitions and the return of its annual talks programme, which this year explores the topic of regenerative design.

Corail collection by Roche Bobois
Above: Roche Bobois will launch a new furniture collection Corail at Design Shanghai. Top: Chinese brand Stellar Works will launch its Host collection by Sebastian Herkner

Regenerative design is an idea that looks for ways that buildings and products can have a positive impact on the environment, rather than simply seeking to minimise the damage.

"As we move towards a post-covid era, in response to an increasing demand for higher-quality developments and a focus on quality of life and the environment we live in, this year, Design Shanghai will focus on regenerative design and the role designers and design innovation plays in realising new solutions that improve our living environment," said Design Shanghai director Zhuo Tan.

Named The Kohler Exquisite x Design Shanghai Forum, the talks programme features a global lineup of designers including Sebastian Wrong, Aldo Cibic, Richard Hutten, Michael Pawlyn and Thomas Heatherwick.

Tse series by Pili Wu
The Neooold exhibition will present work that combines artisanal craft with contemporary design, including Pili Wu's Tsé series

The cultural offering extends to a series of exhibitions and installations by designers such as Kinney Chan and Isabelle Peng Zhao, and architecture studio ORIA, which will present an installation called Touch exploring the relationship between reality and the ideal.

Chinese designer Chin Min has also curated an exhibition called Neooold, which will present the work of 12 artists, designers and makers whose work straddles the worlds of traditional artisanal craft and contemporary design.

Carl Hansen & Son chairs
International exhibitors at Design Shanghai include Carl Hansen & Son

The main Design Shanghai trade show aims to explore the synergies between eastern and western design.

International brands exhibiting include Carl Hansen & Son, Herman Miller, Flos, Ton, &Tradition and Hay.

Ligne Roset will present key pieces while fellow French brand Roche Bobois will launch a brand new furniture collection called Corail. USM Haller will showcase its World of Plants collection for the first time.

World of Plants by USM Haller
USM Haller will showcase its World of Plants collection at Design Shanghai

Kitchen and bathroom exhibitors include Laufen, Villeroy & Boch, Kohler, Porcelanosa and Axor.

The international brands will be joined by a host of Chinese exhibitors including Shang Xia, PUSU, 2-LA, UFOU, Studio Monana, THESHAW and first-time exhibitor U+.

Major Chinese brand Stellar Works will also launch its brand new Host collection by Sebastian Herkner at the show.

Memphis design at Ya Space gallery
Memphis design gallery Ya Space will exhibit at Design Shanghai

Design Shanghai will also showcase one-off, limited-edition and collectable design presented by galleries including Ya Space, the first exhibition space in China dedicated to Memphis design.

Design Shanghai's Talents section also returns to spotlight emerging local talent.

Curated by designer Frank Chou, with judges including Aric Chen and Wang Xu, the platform presents work by 14 promising young Chinese designers.

Rollie by Emotive Soil
The Talents section presents work by emerging Chinese designers and studios such as Emotive Soil

Dezeen is a media partner for Design Shanghai 2021.

We are also sponsoring a cafe/bar designed by Hong Kong designer Michael Young at the show. Details will be announced soon.

Design Shanghai takes place from 3 to 6 June at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center. See Dezeen Events Guide for an up-to-date list of architecture and design events taking place around the world.


Partnership content

This article was written by Dezeen for Design Shanghai as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.