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Qiuruiyan Shen

University of the Arts London

I am a product and furniture designer working at the intersection of natural materials and functional design. My practice is grounded in Material-Driven Design (MDD), a methodology in which concepts and design direction emerge from material exploration itself. Through systematic testing, iteration, and fabrication experiments, I develop work that responds to the properties, behaviors, and limitations of the materials I use, balancing hands-on craftsmanship with digital fabrication processes. My recent project, beeMerged, reflects this approach: a series of timber furniture pieces constructed without glue or fixings, using beeswax as the sole binding agent. The work assembles as the wax is poured and disassembles as it melts, demonstrating how a considered understanding of material can define both structure and concept. My practice spans a range of scales, from furniture to everyday objects, and is consistently guided by a commitment to sustainability and the use of local, low-impact materials. I am particularly interested in experimental materials and in identifying practical, real-world applications for them.

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beeMerged: Beeswax Joinery Furniture System

Category: Furniture

Competitions: Home Competition 2026

beeMerged is a timber shelving unit assembled entirely by beeswax, with no screws, no glue, and no synthetic materials. The design is directly inspired by the material, following a material-driven design approach. Rather than selecting a material to serve a predetermined form, the properties of beeswax determined the joinery, the structure, and the way the furniture functions. Beeswax can transition between solid and liquid states. That single material property became the joinery logic. The joints are developed from traditional cross-lap halving joints with precise recesses. Liquid beeswax is poured into each recess at 65 to 75 degrees, cools to form a structural bond, and releases cleanly when heat is reapplied onto the structure. The same joint has been tested five times, both assembled and disassembled, without visible damage to the timber, demonstrating great structural reliability and the reversibility of the materials. Disassembly, repairability, and end of life were well considered in the design from the beginning. Every component, from FSC-certified oak posts to solid walnut shelf boards, beeswax, and a mixture of beeswax and raw linseed oil finish, is entirely natural and biodegradable. All materials were chosen not only for their natural qualities but for their compatibility with the heating mechanism. For instance, the finish does not react or emit toxic products when heat is applied, and the timber handles repeated heating cycles without damage. When the furniture reaches the end of product life, each material can be separated, reused, or returned to the natural world without waste. The proportions of the piece were inspired by antique Chinese shelving systems, adopting their approach to space division and visual balance. The dimensions were determined by the availability of standard UK timber stock: the post sections, shelf widths, and panel lengths all come directly from off-the-shelf material, meaning no custom sizing is required, and waste is minimised at every stage. All 26 posts share the same 25x25mm cross-section and the same joint positions, 40mm away from each end, making the piece fully compatible with CNC batch production with jigs. The beeswax joints appear as either small amber circles across the dark walnut surface or a simple flower shape on the oak posts. The natural dimple at the centre of each joint forms as the timber absorbs liquid wax during cooling, a detail that is not designed but inherent to the material. There are no screws or metal to conceal. The construction is made visible through the surface, and that transparency is central to what beeMerged represents.

In association with Arts Thread

Working with our partners at Arts Thread to develop lifelong learning and career opportunities for students of fashion and design. Our partnership provides the opportunity to compete on a world stage, participate in industry led workshops, set up an outstanding portfolio and gain access to the resources that will kickstart careers in fashion and design.