anhanli is an independent architect and designer for architectural and graphic design. Originally from Harbin, Naihan moved to Beijing in the 1980s at a time when the city was experiencing an explosion of imported cultural concepts. She moved on to study design and architecture at The Bartlett, London before returning to what she calls “Beijing in its most rapid and volatile state of urban development and simultaneous decay”. Her most recent project, Crates (pictured), aims to introduce furniture as a fashionable, social concept for modern, mobile living, posing the question: Why not own furniture that is both fun and represents the way you live? Naihanli is also founder of BAO Atelier in Beijing. Based in the 798 Art Compound in Beijing, Naihan Li is one of those frustrated Architects who quit the “profession” to focus on something else. Her new path in life as a furniture designer began after moving into an empty loft-space at 798 and realizing that she needed to furnish the space herself. Of course with very little resources… and a handful of wooden packing crates available at her disposal, she set out to start building these wonderful pieces herself. Too bad her website is only a splash page and nothing more, because the photos of all the pieces which were handed out via her Exhibition Catalogue at the opening is completely amazing. She even has full foldable Kitchen, MakeUp Tables, TV Entertainment Consoles, Dining/Conference Tables… all elegant and beautiful pieces that can work indoor and outdoor. AND, all these pieces fold-up into crates, so they are transportable “AS-IS”. Now you can be a stylish nomad!

www.naihanli.com