3 Design Studios Redefining Interiors At The Launch Of Design Shanghai Collectible Art

We spotlight three standout studios from Design Shanghai Collectible’s debut year. Redefining collectible design as sculptural, timeless storytelling, these studios are reshaping modern interiors with bold forms and refined craftsmanship.

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In keeping with its bold and forward-looking vision, the 12th edition of Design Shanghai arrives under the inspiring theme ‘Design for Humanity.’ Attracting over 80,000 visitors and showcasing 600 carefully curated brands from more than 30 countries, the fair has firmly established itself as a leading platform for fresh ideas, innovation, and meaningful conversations within the global design community.

This year marks a significant milestone with the introduction of Design Shanghai Collectible, a vibrant new section dedicated to celebrating the rising appeal and importance of limited-edition and collectible design by ingenious artists. Recognizing how design is increasingly valued not only as utility but as art and investment, this debut segment shines a spotlight on unique pieces that blend creativity with craftsmanship.

Drawing on sculpture, traditional craftsmanship, and innovative material techniques, these design studios should be on your radar. Their work goes beyond aesthetics to create pieces that resonate deeply and stand the test of time, shaping the future of design in thoughtful, lasting ways.

 

1. Spectra Chrome: A Striking Sculptural Statement By Katz Studio

‘Spectra Chrome’ by Isaac Katz. A wall panel transforms stainless steel into a fluid, sculptural surface—capturing the raw, untamed energy of geological processes through abstract forms and shifting reflections. (Image Credits: Design Shanghai)
‘Spectra Chrome’ by Isaac Katz. A wall panel transforms stainless steel into a fluid, sculptural surface—capturing the raw, untamed energy of geological processes through abstract forms and shifting reflections. (Image Credits: Design Shanghai)

Isaac Katz, the founder of Mexico City’s Katz Studio, has gained acclaim for creating sculptural furniture that blurs the line between art and design. Drawing inspiration from natural patterns and mathematical forms, his pieces evoke geological formations and organic structures. Notable works like the cloth-like ‘Levitaz Armchair’ and the ‘Erosia Coffee Table’ — featuring carefully crafted voids — showcase his skill in transforming metal, cast bronze, resin and concrete into collectible masterpieces.

Their process relies on parametric design—a digital technique that uses nature’s patterns as a design base. Yet the results are anything but cold: the work feels alive, fluid, and strikingly modern. At Design Shanghai, Katz Studio’s new pieces blur the line between functionality and sculpture, making them perfect for collectors who want presence and permanence.

 

Also read: Design Shanghai 2025 Champions Human-Centric Design At Its 12th Edition

 

2. Piao II Chair: A Thoughtful, Eco-Conscious Creation By PINWU Design Studio

The ‘Piao II’ paper chair by Christoph John and Jovana Zhang offers a refined reinterpretation of two iconic Chinese crafts—oil-paper umbrellas and lanterns, which blends cultural heritage with contemporary design sensibility. (Image Credits: Design Shanghai)
The ‘Piao II’ paper chair by Christoph John and Jovana Zhang offers a refined reinterpretation of two iconic Chinese crafts—oil-paper umbrellas and lanterns, which blends cultural heritage with contemporary design sensibility. (Image Credits: Design Shanghai)

Founded in 2004 by Lei Zhang, Jovana Zhang, and Christoph John, PINWU Design Studio takes a research-led approach to Chinese handicraft. Their philosophy—what they call ‘Future Tradition’—involves deconstructing ancient techniques like ramie weaving, bamboo carving, and handmade paper, then reapplying them in experimental forms.

Based in Hangzhou, the team’s past work includes translucent furniture made from recycled porcelain and lighting installations built with silk threads. At this showcase, PINWU is debuting new sculptural pieces that integrate natural materials with contemporary structure, anchored in cultural reference but made for the present. Their work is essential viewing for those interested in where Chinese design is headed next.

 

Also read: At The Crossroads Of Surrealism And Street: Abhay Sehgal Is Redefining Contemporary Indian Art

 

3. Practicality: Symbolic Hand-Lacquered Pomegranate Cups By ChengYan Lacquerware Studio

‘Practicality’ by Liu Han and Liu Shuai for Chengyan Lacquerware Studio catches the eye with its calm confidence and can still feel thoughtful, refined, and full of meaning. (Image Credits: Design Shanghai)
‘Practicality’ by Liu Han and Liu Shuai for Chengyan Lacquerware Studio catches the eye with its calm confidence and can still feel thoughtful, refined, and full of meaning. (Image Credits: Design Shanghai)

Co-founded in 2019 by Liu Han and Liu Shuai, this design studio, in just a few years, has become a critical voice in modern Chinese craft. Specialising in high-end lacquer techniques—where each piece is finished through dozens of ultra-thin, hand-applied layers—their studio revives ancient craft with a modern design vocabulary.

Unlike traditional lacquerware, their work is minimalist in form and subdued in colour, often favouring irregular silhouettes and matte finishes over ornate decoration. Their 2025 collection focuses on low-sheen cabinets, sculptural containers, and tables with soft-edged asymmetry—designed for collectors who value restraint, craftsmanship, and texture.

 

Also read: Marrakech Museum’s $1 Million Makeover Celebrates The Rise Of Contemporary African Art

 

Design Shanghai is set at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Centre. (Image Credits: Courtesy Design Shanghai)
Design Shanghai is set at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Centre. (Image Credits: Courtesy Design Shanghai)

With the launch of Collectible Art, Design Shanghai provides a vital new platform that elevates functional design into the realm of art. These three studios—Katz, PINWU, and ChengYan—represent the vanguard of that movement. Their work isn’t just collectible because it’s rare or well-made. It’s collectible because it speaks to where design is going: less trend-driven, more grounded, and deeply expressive.