Bitter Bamboo Room / Deve Build Shenzhen

Courtesy of Deve Build Shenzhen

Architects: Deve Build Shenzhen
Location: Futian, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
Design Director: Yu Feng
Project Design Team: Deve Build Shenzhen
Designer Team Members: Yonggang Zhu
Area: 250.0 sqm
Project Year: 2013
Photographs: Courtesy of Deve Build Shenzhen

From the architect. Why did I design this bitter bamboo room? From the beginning, I wanted to design a place which does not look like anywhere else, trying to avoid the characteristics of space as much as possible. Also, I always wanted to explore a space in which everything is simple and natural, free from laws and rules but only reflects the original and real status of the space. The technique is simple and plain, and simple materials were used. Everything goes back to the original point, including emotions and techniques, as pure as infants. That is to return to the earth. In this society, “Having” makes us so frivolous, only by returning to the beginning, can we find the way we were on before.

Therefore, the low-cost, simplest, most delicate bamboo was selected as the material, which is an expression of the spatial texture. The basic local folk craft was chosen as the construction method, because this technique is simple but can meet the functions. We avoid the formal crafts, however, this kind of vulnerability and amateur helps us to see the road we were on before. This world is not complicated at all, including design. The truth is people have abandoned the basic emotions or conditions to pursue extra mystery and complexity. Therefore, the world we are living in now has no humanity, no emotions, no self, and no authenticity.

Bitter bamboo room is like a person doing penance. It also symbolizes the modesty and toughness of bamboo. We lower ourselves, and then see this world. Artists retreat, and then show their artistic temperament. This is Bitter bamboo room, that’s it.