Name: CIFF Shanghai – China International Furniture Fair
Start: 2024-09-11T09:00:00+08:00
End: 2024-09-14T18:00:00+08:00
Location: National Exhibition & Convention Center Shanghai Hongqiao

Design in Shanghai

The design content of CIFF Shanghai is always very high. Since the first edition, CIFF has been hosting the East Design Show. The exhibition, curated by Zhu Xiaojie (a renowned interior designer), host students and young designers, and let them express themselves around a theme. In addition to students and young designers, several emerging brands exhibit here. This year, the exhibition will be called Creative Design Showcase, and the team of designer Zhu Xiaojie also curate it this time.

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East Design Show 2016

At CIFF Shanghai, one can see real living design trends. Many Chinese brands are now of international relevance, such as Camerich, HC28, Chic Casa, Teesure, Hik, Coomo, DAaZ, Mextra, Dou Home, and M°NACA. Imagination – Contemporary Design Life Exhibition will combine exhibitions and interviews to inspire creativity and discover the design of living trends.

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Armchair by Roderik Vos for HC28, CIFF Shanghai 2023

Great international architects at CIFF Shanghai

CIFF Shanghai also has a tradition of collaboration with international designers and architects. In 2019, for example, the conference “Architecture: from Alvaro Siza’s Modernism to the Digital Future” took place. The forum star was Alvaro Siza, the Portuguese architect who designed the China Design Museum of Bauhaus Collection, in Hangzhou, a building opened in 2018 that houses the Bauhaus Collection of the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou (CAA). The forum, titled “Designed for Humans: From Alvaro Siza’s Modernism into the Digital Future,” organized by CIFF and Aedes Architecture Forum, brought together seven world-renowned architects.

Discover the contemporary office at CIFF Guangzhou 2024

Camerich Pavilion by studio Alvaro Siza Vieira, 2019

They were Sou Fujimoto, António Choupina, Anouk Legendre, Philip Feng Yuan-a professor at Tongji University; Martha Thorne, secretary of the Pritzker Prize; Mario Carpo, professor at University College London; and Mette Ramsgaard Thomsen, professor at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. The subject of the conference was production in a digital future.

Also in 2024, there will be an exhibition dedicated to Álvaro Siza, Siza Theme Exhibition, an exhibition on his design and architecture.

The exhibits at CIFF Shanghai

Several brands collaborate with international designers and architects, but Camerich, an internationally renowned company, takes advantage of CIFF Shanghai to explore topical issues in design and architecture, designing booths of great interest. In 2019 for example, it was the turn of the Siza Pavilion for Camerich, a more than 700 square meters pavilion named “Portuguese Elephant.” Besides the size, which was definitely large, what stood out in that project was the attention paid to the booth’s architecture, rather than the display of products.

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Camerich Pavilion by Alvaro Siza, 2019

First of all, to create a silent and rarefied atmosphere inside the pavilion, the outer walls were made of a material that insulated from heat and noise, covered with mineral wool and aluminum, with an additional silver layer that was both scenic and fireproof. The floors were made of natural oak, the walls were white plaster, and the rooms were revealed in succession, as in the courtyards of Chinese houses. In fact, the pavilion had seven entrances, which created different viewpoints. Similarly, the company chose to display only two products, illustrating the various stages of their creation, from design to fine-tuning.

Neri & Hu x Camerich Pavilion, 2022

In 2022, on the other hand, the world-renowned firm Neri & Hu designed a sustainable and recyclable stand for Camerich, as well as a very impressive one. A lattice of more than 1,000 bamboo canes drew a space where visitors moved freely. The structure could be expanded or narrowed as needed, and besides, bamboo is a particularly sustainable wood, that grows quickly and is suitable for many processes. The bamboo structure enclosed the walls on the outside, leaving only a tiny entrance. Inside, there was an articulated pathway, in a succession of corridors and islands with furniture products. The various islands thus became rooms, real domestic settings, reminiscent of a real home.

Design Eden: A New Paradigm

The next edition of CIFF Shanghai takes place from September 11 to 14, 2024. The claim of the next edition will be “Design Eden”, to emphasize the cultural and design component of the fair. Indeed, at CIFF Shanghai, design and business integrate seamlessy, and a community of 300,000 designers finds multiple opportunities for cultural enrichment and business opportunities.

Why visit

CIFF Shanghai is one of China’s most influential design and furniture events. In addition to the furniture exhibition, there are several side events, such as CIFF Select Show, which selects products with the highest design content. On the other hand, design Eden – Contemporary Design Trade Fair will welcome Chinese brands specializing in high-end design, brands known worldwide. In addition to design products, CIFF offers an extensive program of side activities, such as forums and seminars with Chinese and international guests. Finally, the Creative Design Showcase, curated by designer Zhu Xiaojie’s team, is an excellent opportunity to see emerging designers and brands up close.