During CIFF Guangzhou 2026, an international forum titled “From Architectural Thinking to Furniture Reality” was organised by Iko iN and led by iN Design Lab. The forum brought together professionals from architecture, design and the furniture industry to discuss how architectural thinking can extend beyond buildings into furniture, interiors and spatial experience.
Rather than focusing on products alone, the forum centred on cross-disciplinary thinking and the increasingly blurred boundaries between architecture and furniture. As the market places greater emphasis on spatial coherence, user experience and design logic, architecture is no longer confined to buildings, and furniture is no longer seen as isolated objects. Instead, both are increasingly understood as part of a larger spatial and design ecosystem.
Two international speakers were invited to share their perspectives: architect and industrial designer Chris Bosse, and architect and Professor Jenchieh Hung. Drawing from their professional work and international experience, both speakers discussed architectural language, spatial logic, design innovation and the relationship between design and industry, offering different but complementary viewpoints.
Chris Bosse shared insights from his work across architecture, experimental design and future spatial environments, demonstrating how architectural thinking can influence contemporary design beyond form and aesthetics. His talk explored the relationship between structure, experience, emotion and future lifestyles, suggesting that architectural thinking can become a driver for more imaginative and forward-looking design approaches.
Professor Jenchieh Hung approached the topic from the perspectives of research, teaching and architectural practice. He discussed architecture not simply as a physical outcome, but as a method of thinking and a system of logic that can be applied across different design scales. From architecture to furniture, from interiors to commercial spaces, the scale may change, but the underlying spatial thinking and design methodology often remain closely related.
The forum also served as a platform for dialogue and international exchange, bringing together designers, brands, manufacturers, buyers and industry professionals. Through conversations across disciplines and cultural backgrounds, the event highlighted the growing importance of collaboration, cross-industry integration and global design networks.
As the organiser of the forum, Iko iN and iN Design Lab have been actively building platforms that connect design, industry and market. Hosting the forum at CIFF Guangzhou reflects their ongoing efforts to promote international design exchange and cross-border collaboration within the design industry.
As one of Asia’s most influential furniture exhibitions, CIFF Guangzhou continues to serve not only as a trade platform, but also as a stage for design ideas, industry discussions and international exchange. The forum demonstrated how exhibitions today are no longer just about products, but also about ideas, dialogue and the future direction of design.
“From Architectural Thinking to Furniture Reality” was not only a forum, but a conversation about the future of design. When architectural thinking enters furniture, interiors and the wider industry chain, design begins to operate beyond individual objects, shaping how we live, work and experience space.
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