Rush 藺草

Tunghai University

Discipline:

Lighting | Furniture

Location:

Taichung, Taiwan

Year:

2017

Description:

Why
The Rush 藺草 series explores materiality and craft, inspired by Taiwan’s rush grass weaving legacy. It tackles reviving traditional techniques for modern design, blending old and new to showcase the material’s versatility and relevance.

Brief
Commissioned by Tunghai University (東海大學) from 2018 to 2020, the project aimed to create Pendant and Tension—two objects merging rush grass craftsmanship with functional innovation, each telling a distinct material story.

Approach
We combined traditional weaving with experimental methods, testing rush grass alongside bamboo, LED lighting, and structural elements. This fusion shaped Pendant’s illuminating form and Tension’s sturdy yet light framework.

Outcome
Pendant reimagines rush grass as a glowing sculptural light, while Tension pairs woven mats with bamboo legs for a balanced seat. Both pieces highlight craft’s adaptability, marrying heritage with contemporary flair.

Challenges
Melding tradition and innovation tested us—Tension’s lightweight strength faltered early, needing structural tweaks, while Pendant’s LED integration with organic grass required precise refinement.

Insights
Assuming rush grass would easily adapt underestimated its limits—I’d test structural blends sooner next time. The struggle deepened our respect for Taiwan’s craft heritage, proving innovation can preserve tradition.

Product Details
Pendant Dimensions: w8 x d8 x h15 cm
Pendant Material: Wild rush grass, LED lighting, ABS
Tension Dimensions: w36 x d34 x h50 cm
Tension Material: Woven rush grass, raw bamboo, bamboo thread

Process

The Rush 藺草 project began with sourcing, harvesting wild rush grass in Taiwan to honor its weaving heritage. We dried and sorted the grass, bundling it into workable batches while studying traditional methods. Next, we experimented with weaving techniques, testing rush grass with bamboo for Tension’s frame and LED setups for Pendant, adjusting patterns like the papaya weave to balance strength and flexibility.

For Tension, we hand-cut bamboo legs, joining them with T-junctions, then wove rush mats, stretching them tight over the frame for stability. Pendant’s conical ABS structure was 3D-printed, coated matte white, and wrapped with rush grass, integrating LEDs for a warm glow. Early tests showed Tension’s frame wobbling and Pendant’s light flickering, so we reinforced joints with bamboo thread and adjusted wiring.

Final assembly brought both pieces together—mats secured on Tension, grass layered on Pendant—ensuring durability and function. Testing confirmed Tension held weight and Pendant lit evenly, blending tradition with modern craft through careful material trials.