Design What

Design What featuring great design, architecture, fashion, graphics and innovation from across the globe.

 
Wanping Theater

Tongji Architectural Design (Group) Co., Ltd Theater Lighting Friday, 30 January 2026

Wanping

Wanping is a lighting design for an opera theater in Shanghai, covering 29,000 square meters. The building concept is derived from the folding fan used in Chinese opera. The lighting follows the same concept and expresses the shape and texture of the facade. Adjustable in-ground lights and floodlights reveal the folding form and the curtain wall texture. Inside, adjustable downlights illuminate the fan-shaped wave wall, while linear wall washers brighten vertical surfaces. High color rendering lamps show the colorful opera costumes clearly.

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Gis Chair

Sepehr Mehrdadfar Chair Furniture Thursday, 29 January 2026

Gis

Gis is a three legged wooden chair with bronze feet and is carved out from two walnut logs with exquisite craftsmanship to seem as a sculpture. The wood knots and scars are remained exposed to give the objects a special characteristic. Despite its uncanny appearance, Gis is ergonomic due to the careful design of curves and angles. The design is an exploration of solid wood possibilities and also is a walk on the edge of Art and Design, Beauty and Function.

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Balanco Stackable Stools

Lisa J. Lai Stackable Stools Furniture Wednesday, 28 January 2026

Balanco

Balanco is a set of stackable blocks that serve as seating, tables and play objects. The multifaceted blocks can be arranged, positioned and stacked in many ways. Balancing the blocks requires patience and calmness, so Balanco can be shared by friends and families at home. The structure is foam based and lightweight, and the earth-tone felt finish is soft to touch. The blocks are safe for young children and remain solid enough for adults to sit on. Varying sizes suit the heights of both children and adults.

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Reverse Clock

Mattice Boets Clock Furniture Tuesday, 27 January 2026

Reverse

While time flies by, clocks have stayed the same. Reverse is not an ordinary clock, it's the reversal, a minimalistic clock design with subtle changes making it one of a kind. The hand facing inward rotates inside the outer ring to indicate the hour. The little hand facing outward stands alone and rotates to indicate the minutes. Reverse was created by removing all elements of a clock except its cylindrical base, from there imagination took over. This clock design aims to remind you to embrace time.

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Intermodality Desk

Attila Stromajer Desk Furniture Monday, 26 January 2026

Intermodality

The desk imitates the grand piano with three legs, a drop-leaf cover and with its shape. It has a modern parametric design with rustic finish. It was tried to preserve the elegance and charm of the piano while trying to make it as functional as possible. The goal was that through the visual modality the desk bring the auditory modality and musicality into homes. So across the intermodality it symbolizes the the flow experience of music and creative process.

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Balustrade Chair

Zhejiang Sci-Tech University Chair Furniture Sunday, 25 January 2026

Balustrade

Balustrade is a chair designed for short and temporary rest. The design is inspired by unconscious behaviour, such as leaning on a table or against a balustrade. Balustrade offers two sitting positions. The first is sitting directly on the top, like a chair. The second is a leaning posture, like leaning on a railing. The form is simple, and the intent is brief use rather than long comfort. Several units can be overlapped to reduce transport volume. The chair measures 620 by 385 by 720 millimetres.

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