Design Shanghai: ten out of ten

This year, Design Shanghai, one of Asia's leading international design events, will celebrate its 10th-anniversary edition. For four days, from 8–11 June, the diverse programme will offer exhibitions of leading international and Chinese brands, a forum with debates and panel discussions with respected architects, designers and manufacturers, and installations from young, up-and-coming makers and creators. 

Shanghai is not just China's most populous city – it is also its most cosmopolitan. Shanghai's modern skyscrapers, art deco edifices and traditional Chinese architecture have all played witness to successive economic booms that have made the city one of the country's and the world's foremost economic hubs. Today, with access to international and traditional Chinese industries, the city combines the best of the financial, manufacturing, service and creative sectors. It is no surprise that major international institutions and events – especially those aiming to foster collaboration between China, Asia and beyond – choose Shanghai as their base. Design Shanghai has emerged as a prominent and highly anticipated event within the realm of design and architecture.

The fair itself will have an increased footprint of 50% and includes a new exhibition section titled 'Living and Lifestyle' adding homeware and accessories to the usual displays of task and domestic furniture, lighting, kitchens and bathrooms. Upward of 70,000 visitors are expected to attend this year's edition, from over 40 countries and regions. The event's headline partner, for the fourth year running, will be Audi. The German carmaker will once again showcase the latest evolution of its thinking on sustainable mobility with its new activesphere concept.

All in all, about 600 exhibitors will be in attendance at Design Shanghai. International brands such as HAY, Ligne Roset, Carl Hansen & Søn, Davide Groppi, GUBI, Paola Lenti, Mattiazzi, Flos, Zanotta, LALIQUE, &Tradition, Verpan, NUDE, Alessi, Michael Young, Christofle and Chinese designers, U+, XUE, ziinlife, Singchan Design, Jianze, CHEN DARUI, Donxi, Benwu, Kun Design and Frank Chou Design Studio are among some of the highlights. Exclusive product launches will include Bernardaud x Jeff Koons, Stellar Works and Denby among others. Dedicated sections will have their own accompanying programme of speeches, seminars and debates, inviting dialogues between all the participants.

Design Shanghai Forum – a platform for debates, and discussion, will return this year with Kohler Exquisite as its partner. The theme this year is 'Beyond Sustainability lies Re-creative Design – Design for Wellbeing', focusing on health from not only the physical viewpoint but the mental and spiritual ones, too.  Sustainability won't be forgotten, of course, and it will be considered as an important condition alongside the increased importance of digital environments and digital tools. Encompassing a 360-degree view of health that includes individuals but also the planet and the various physical and virtual links between the two, the programme will welcome 100 industry leaders and influences, including speakers such as Ross Lovegrove, Zandra Rhodes, Adam Brinkworth, Aldo Cibic, Michael Young, Ben Wu Chi Wing Lo, Chris Lefteri, Stefano Piontini and Satoshi Ohashi, Director at Zaha Hadid Architects.

Design Shanghai is also renowned for its emphasis on avant-garde and experimental design. The fair serves as a platform for emerging talents to showcase their innovative ideas and challenge conventional design norms. The Features area will once again showcase the best of China's independent designers and makers as well as fresh talent and is set to feature over 100 entrants. Veteran designer Frank Chou has curated the TALENTS section, and there will be a dedicated Rong exhibit to designers deconstructing traditional Chinese textiles and weaving crafts.

A new fixture, Design Street, will present design curated by Design Burger. Designer Chen Min has been invited to create the Neooold installation as a sheltered, dream-like space inspired by traditional Chinese films, while architect Chen Hao Ru has designed its stand at the fair. A further exhibition by industrial designer Jamy Yang called 'Disappearing Borders' explores the relationship between making, users and objects in a world with increasingly sophisticated virtual networks and automated manufacturing. Meanwhile, Chi Wing Lo's installation entitled 'Interlude', composed of a series of meandering screens, acts as a place of reflection as well as a bridge for connecting both people as well as ideas.

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