Buntopia Bao Set.
A tabletop collection designed for the Vietnamese fusion restaurant, Buntopia.
The Buntopia collection consists of a dumpling tray, a chopstick holder, a soy sauce pourer, a soy sauce dish, a spoon, large and small teacups and bao baskets. Each piece is designed to hold a different item on the menu.
Research.
Buntopia, the Vietnamese restaurant that the collection is based on has a feature menu item called a bunburger, that are served in the bamboo steamer baskets they were cooked in.
Vietnamese design is characterized by bright colors, materials sourced from the earth, soft welcoming forms and intricate patterns
Process.
I began by designing stackable baskets that could cook and serve multiple meals at the same time. The forms got more round and full as my process developed to allow for easier access and a warmer image. Additionally, I devised a sleeker bao basket lid that maintained its traditional tactility
I designed two teacups; the shorter for black tea, and the taller for green tea to ensure optimal tannin dispersion. The dumpling tray features a removable base for a refined serving experience. Finally, every piece in the collection features a signature curve for aesthetic cohesion.
How it works.
Buntopia.
01.
Bao baskets stack into each other via lid mechanisms
02.
Bases of the bao baskets have gaps to let steam through
