In 2015, The Nature Conservancy established China's first small water source protected area (Shanshui Fund) in Qingshan Village, Yuhang, Hangzhou. To balance conservation and development, The Nature Conservancy and the Shanshui Fund actively sought out green industries. In 2016, Robam Appliances, The Nature Conservancy, From Yuhang Rong Design Library (now Rong Design Library), and PINWU joined forces for their first cross-sector collaboration, united by the shared philosophy of "respecting nature and living artfully." Together, they launched "The Lake" project. "The Lake: The Life of Water" was the first outcome of this initiative, where designers taught villagers metal weaving crafts, increasing their income while protecting water sources. During this process, designers discovered that the villagers of Qingshan still followed China's traditional phenological calendar—the 24 solar terms—for farming, harvesting, and food preparation, embodying a natural lifestyle and culinary art.

In 2017, the collaboration expanded upon "The Life of Water," leading to the launch of a second series, "The Lake: 24 seasons".

Both Qingshan Village and the Miao people share a deep connection with nature. The fusion of traditional solar term-based cuisine with Miao silversmithing craft into modern culinary life not only revives people's awareness of natural rhythms but also offers new avenues for the preservation and development of Miao silverwork. Thus, "24 seasons" was born.

The "24 seasons" exhibition installation selects eight of the 24 traditional Chinese solar terms (Jingzhe, Qingming, Mangzhong, Dashu, Bailu, Shuangjiang, Daxue, and Dongzhi). Designers created artworks inspired by the climate and food associated with each solar term. The works incorporate Miao silver-smithing techniques on four different types of metals, depicting the rich changes in environment, plants, insects, animals, and cuisine in Qingshan Village, Yuhang, during these eight solar terms. The installation showcases the unique landscapes around the lake. Amidst the ground elements (Qingshan Village’s landscape) and sky elements (its weather patterns), Robam’s products subtly appear, seamlessly integrated into the scene.

The cyclical flow of water in Qingshan Lake nourishes the land in various forms, sustaining life. For centuries, the people living on this land have observed and followed natural laws in farming, cooking, and living, cultivating a rich diversity with their wisdom and hard work.

Stainless Steel is one signature material used in many Robam products. The exhibition booth is filled with metal walls, made by aluminium, steel, brass and copper. The whole image reflects the landscape surrounding the lake in Yuhang. The self standing walls are displaying the characteristic mountain line, arranged in several layers. Hanging thin metal sheets which are showing the sky in several different seasons, are completing the general display.

All metal sheets are laser cut, reflecting patterns of eight different seasons selected from the 24 seasons calendar - 惊蛰, 清明, 芒种, 大暑, 白露, 霜降, 大雪, 冬至. The metal walls are hand sanded in different structures and finalised by the unique hand punching, implemented by professional Guizhou craftsmen.

Each punched pattern symbolises food, a special dish, natural elements as well as some weather appearances based on the 8 seasons. Due to the sophisticated craft technique, the patterns seemingly are coming alive. Different view points are showing different reflections of the punched lines, dots and cuts. The pattern becomes a dynamic image.The graphics are aiming to remind the visitor on the ancient calendar as well as giving suggestions of dishes suitable to each season.

The Robam products are integrated to the abstract landscape. There are 2 range hoods, 1 gas stove, 1 steam oven, 1 water filter, 1 dish washer and 1 central clean system are displayed at the exhibition booth. Another part of the exhibition is a collection of both artistic and functional products. All of them are mostly handcrafted and finalised by the traditional hand punching. At the display is 1 room divider, 4 lamps, 1 seating, 1 Robam range hood, 2 different dishes and a number of small jewelries.

不锈钢是老板电器产品的标志性材料。展位上的展品是用铝、钢、黄铜、铜制成的金属墙，整个墙的图像展现了水源周围的景色。自立的金属墙展示的是颇具特点的山脉轮廓，层层叠叠。此外，展台上方悬挂着的薄金属展品展示了不同季节的天空景观。

所有的金属展品均由激光切割而成，描绘了从中国传统二十四节气中挑选出来的八个节气——惊蛰，清明，芒种，大暑，白露，霜降，冬至的特征。金属墙经由手工技艺冲压定型、手工打磨并由专业的贵州传统打银手工艺人敲打制成。每个敲打出来的图案象征着和八个传统节气相关的食物、特色菜肴、自然元素以及天气现象。由于采用了复杂的工艺技术，这些图案看起来栩栩如生。当然，不同的视角会呈现出不同的冲孔线、点和切割形态。因此，图案变成了动态的画面。而这些图像旨在提醒观者关注古老的节气日历以及建议人们食用应季的菜肴。

老板电器产品被完美融合进抽象的设计景观中。展位上有两台油烟机、一台煤气灶、一台蒸箱、一台净水器、一台洗碗机和一台中央吸油烟机。展览的另一部分集合了艺术和功能兼具的产品。所有的艺术展品均由手工制作并最后由传统手工技艺冲压完成。所展示的有一个屏风，四盏灯，一个凳子，一台老板油烟机以及两种不同的餐碟和一些银质饰品。

"The Lake - 24 Seasons" products are following the concept of the 24 seasons - seasonal food and the advantage to the health. All items are finished by the traditional Miao hand punching. The patterns and objects punched into the metals, are representing a certain season in the

traditional agricultural calendar. It aims to sensitise the user in the values of local seasonal food and the advantages of living in balance with the natural characteristics and beauty of each season.

The room dividers pattern reflects 大暑 — the big heat in summer. It is made of aluminum.

The punched symbols are examples of insects appearing during the hot season of the year. They are reflecting the natural variety and underlining the importance of their existence in terms of being an essential part in the circle of botanic growings.

The plates are made of an combination of a solid metal base covered with pure silver. It is made by professional Guizhou silver craftsmen. The pattern symbolises the coexisting of the drinking water lake and local food in the village. The punching shows an abstract landscape. The sky, mountains, the lake, vegetable and fishes are forming a complete image and therefore communicating the balance and dependence each element on each other.

There are 3 different versions of lamp shades. One is made by copper, one by aluminum and one by brass. The patterns are showing typical season weather phenomenons. Brass stands for the hot season of 大暑, the brightness and heat and characteristic bugs on the

trees. Aluminum represents the spring season of 清明, slightly rainy, deep green and colourful fields. Copper stands for the fall 霜降, leaves are falling, cold weather is coming.

The seating consists of a solid metal frame covered by a thin aluminum plate. It is a simple shaped stool with a hand punched pattern. Due to cool surface it is suggested to mainly use during the warm season.

The punched symbols are showing a series of local fishes from the lake as well as the other close natural water reservoirs.

The small silver and copper plates are giveaways, molded and punched by traditional craftsmen. The pieces are decorative accessories - necklets and pins. Both copper and pure silver pieces are symbolising selected typical JingShanCun food. Each one is unique finalised by hand punching patterns.

The unique finished range hood shows an example of how this unique craft can be applied to selected products of Robam. A simplified timeline of natural seasonal phenomena are punched in various patterns into the steel surface.

In general the items are a series of products aiming to enlarge the users interior collection of both decorative and functional products - a seemingly cold and hard material turned into detailed and meaningful objects, finalised in an unique way.

Ideal Home Show, the Dream Home Lifestyle Exhibition: the world's oldest and largest consumer exhibition, established in 1908, has had over 70 million visitors in its over 100-year history. It has inspired generations of British consumers to adopt modern lifestyles and helped shape the resurgence of the middle class lifestyle in Britain. In 2017, the Ideal Home Show came to China for the first time. Drag

Time｜December 14th-17th, 2017 Drag

Location｜Shanghai World Expo Exhibition Hall