Gen 根
Yicong(Kevin) Xing
See it On Campus: Level 2
Rennie Hall B2160
Visitor Info
Gen
“Where passion of growth takes root”
The roots of a plant are hidden, but they carry life — anchoring, nourishing, and connecting.
Gen is a reflection of these quiet forces, shaped by memories, traditions, and the bond between people and nature.
Through simple, thoughtful forms, Gen invites us to slow down and reconnect — not just with plants, but with the roots of our own stories.
It is a space for care, for growth, and for honoring the everyday rituals that sustain us.
In every touch, every movement, emotions take root — and quietly bloom into the lives of those we love.
The 根
根 (Gen) — the Chinese word for “root” — symbolizes origin, grounding, and unseen strength.
In Chinese culture, “根” speaks not only to physical growth but to the deep connections that anchor identity, memory, and tradition.
Gen draws from this idea: a return to what sustains us, quietly supporting life from within.
Through simple, thoughtful forms, it invites us to reconnect with what is essential — to let growth, care, and belonging take root once again.
Between People, Objects, and Time
In a world where time moves too quickly, emotions often slip away unnoticed.
The objects around us lose their weight, their warmth, their memory.
Gen is a quiet resistance.
It is shaped by the quiet devotion I saw growing up — the way my mother cared for her orchids, patient and unwavering.
I wanted to honor that bond, to create a space where both plants and emotions could take root and breathe.
Through simple forms and thoughtful gestures, Gen invites us to slow down, to stay close — to the orchids, to each other, and to what matters.
The Journey of Form and Function
My design began with a simple cube, inspired by the beauty of orchids, each one a unique artwork deserving of appreciation. Initially, I didn’t fully understand the importance of pruning, but after my mother moved to China, where apartment living limits gardening, I realized the challenges of caring for plants in small spaces.
To address this, I created a compact, mobile flower stand and workbench, perfect for indoor plant care in apartments. Drawing from traditional Chinese flower stands, architectural motifs, and using walnut for its timeless elegance, this design merges functionality with beauty.
Details and Function
Orchids need light but are sensitive to direct sunlight. The integrated fence offers balanced shade, ensuring optimal light while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic. With smooth-rolling wheels, the stand is easily movable, allowing for flexible placement to enhance both plant care and the indoor gardening experience.
The fence is detachable, magnetically connected for easy removal. When placed on the ground, it becomes a floor stand, elevating the flowerpot to improve water drainage and airflow, enhancing plant health and versatility.
Inspired by the flower stand and initial cube prototype, I scaled down and adjusted the proportions to create a minimalist chair that is both functional and elegant, maintaining simplicity and versatility to suit any space and user needs.
Removing the top wooden panel reveals a metal sheet that securely holds a flower pot. When not in use as seating, the chair doubles as a flexible display stand, enhancing flower presentation.
When unfolded, the workspace expands to provide greater functionality and comfort during flower pruning.
Both the flower stand and chair incorporate a 3-way joint structure and engraved traditional patterns for enhanced visual detail. The flower stand features a textured laminate surface, while the drawer is engraved with the Chinese character for “orchid,” reinforcing the theme and adding cultural depth.
The three pieces can be stacked into a compact cabinet for easy storage against a wall or in a corner, keeping the space organized. While offering multiple hidden functions, the design maintains a clean appearance, allowing users to discover and adjust features according to their needs.
根
Individually, each piece serves as functional furniture; together, they form a versatile set of tools designed to support plant care and enhance living spaces.
