Industry Pioneers Lend Support to Drive Green Design

USA - English

• USA - English

BEIJING, July 12 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- With under a month left to register for the International Bamboo and Rattan Product Ideas Competition, aspiring designers, architects and chefs all over the world will be encouraged to know their would-be creations could not land in better hands.

Hong Kong fashion designer Vivienne Tam, Colombian architect Simon Velez, Australian restaurateur Michelle Garnaut, Lonely Planet founder Tony Wheeler and renowned German scientist Walter Liese, have agreed to act as judges for the competition. They will be supported by Hong Kong architect Nelson Chen and designer Kan Tai-keung. All are recognized worldwide as leaders in their field and all have garnered reputations for unique vision and innovation.

The competition was launched in March by the International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), a global development and conservation organization, with support from the Federation of Hong Kong Industries. It encourages submissions from any individual or organization in the world. The only requirements are that products must use bamboo and/or rattan, and they must relate to one of four categories -- clothing, food, shelter and transport.

"Bamboo and rattan have always been important for the livelihoods of rural communities," said Coosje Hoogendoorn, INBAR's Director General. "But modern technology now enables bamboo and rattan to be used in literally thousands of applications, not only in villages but also now in cities.

"The purpose of the competition is to showcase the huge potential for product innovation using bamboo and rattan, which can not only help reduce rural poverty but also protect the environment. This is because bamboo's really fast growth rate means it can provide a more renewable alternative to timber, while processing generally uses far less energy than other materials.

"That we've managed to assemble this incredible line-up of judges goes to show the value of these considerations in the marketplace," said Hoogendoorn. "The insight and experience they'll bring to the process will be invaluable."

Winners of each category will be invited to present their designs at the Competition's Awards Ceremony, which will take place at the Shanghai World Expo in October.

Registration closes on 31st July and registered participants will have until 31st August to submit their entries. Go to http://www.inbarworldexpo.com/competition.html or email [email protected] for more information and registration forms.

SOURCE International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR)