The ubiquitous “Made In China” label is the antithesis of a selling point, representing large quantity, low quality production, with very limited use of new materials and technology. Designer Zhili Liu is attempting to combat this trend (and the reputation that ensues) with his Shrub Tables, a collection of steel and aluminium tables with branched legs. Cut, bent, welded and powder coated – all in a roadside workshop ‘without any space technology or exotic material”, the designer explains.

The six millimeter-thick aluminum tops are screwed to the branching steel legs. Dozens of stable triangles are formed, making the table top part of the frame such that it shares the stress in the legs and minimizes the necessary material. The exposed, sunken screw heads on the table’s surface become decorative elements in the design. Shrub, by Shanghai designer Zhili Liu includes a two-metre dining table, smaller round table and side table. It is in keeping with the theme of nature and plants, as recently discussed with Shawn Soh’s bookshelf, A Tree Becomes a Book Becomes a Tree. Called Shrub, the collection includes a two-metre dining table, smaller round table and side table.

“I have been trying to create high specification products with typical Chinese industrial materials and basic techniques, through unusual design and engineering, and these tables are the first prototypes in this direction – which I believe could be another route for ‘Chinese design’ aside from reinterpreting the traditional decorative elements.” Zhili Liu’s work is characterized by a sense of lightness or apparent fragility. Also check out his Bird Lighting, particularly Nightingale.