[Photo provided to China Daily]

Shi returned to Taiwan in 1996 and opened Dragonfly Gallery, a pioneer design concept store where he displays the latest in design from around the world. The store not only became an inspiration for local designers but also an educational hub for local students of design.

In 2010, dismayed by the declining economy and political situation in Taiwan, Shi accepted an invitation to visit Beijing to set up his own design studio, as the city tried to develop its cultural sector by attracting designers and artists with favorable policies.

Shi's work ranges from jewelry to furniture, animation and digital products.

He won the iF Communication Design Award in 2007 and 2008 for his animation work. He was honored with the Red Dot Design Award four years in a row from 2009 to 2012 for designs including the Twins Round/Square Teapot Set and the bamboo chairs Jun-Zi and Qin-Jian.

Shi exhibited his Bamboo Project in Beijing in 2011, showcasing the potential of bamboo as a material for both building and interior design.

For Shi, bamboo is not just a substitute for wood. With its long fiber, bamboo can be strong, durable and elastic at the same time. It takes only 10 years to mature and produces 35 percent more oxygen than other types of trees, experts say.

It is often used in ancient Chinese literature and art to portray its zen-like quality.