AB Concept x Tai Ping: Introducing the Ami Collection of Contemporary Rugs
When architecture and interior design studio AB Concept collaborates with the renowned Hong Kong-based rug manufacturer Tai Ping, the result is a collection that merges craftsmanship, narrative, and timeless design. The Ami Collection, unveiled by AB Concept co-founders Ed Ng and Terence Ngan, is an elegant series of rugs that draws inspiration from personal memory, natural surroundings, and the meditative tradition of weaving.
At its core, the Ami Collection embodies AB Concept’s distinctive design philosophy: to craft environments and objects that convey a narrative, evoke emotions, and remain deeply rooted in culture. With Tai Ping’s decades-long reputation for artisanal rug-making, the collaboration fuses creative vision with masterful handcrafting, resulting in six designs that reimagine the classic cable-knit aesthetic for contemporary interiors.
An 安
A Collection Born in Nature
The story of the collection began in the founders’ own retreat, Itsu Sho Sha, a private residence in the forests of Karuizawa in the Japanese Alps. In this serene setting, surrounded by panoramic views of nature, Ng and Ngan wanted a rug that felt soft, enveloping, and textural, something that harmonised with the tranquillity of the forest around them.
The first exemplar was a large, bespoke rug measuring 4 by 5.5 metres. Designed specifically for their country home, it featured a tactile cable-knit pattern in a neutral beige-cream palette. More than just a floor covering, the rug became an extension of the landscape and a physical expression of comfort, inspiring the creation of the full Ami Collection.
“The patterns are very simple and elegant yet quite complex, and the juxtaposition of geometric shapes creates a fresh, contemporary feel,” explains Ed Ng. “I was fascinated by how we could achieve a very different look with one material — wool — using different patterns and heights.”
Ikoi 憩
Weaving Memory and Meaning
The name of the collection is itself significant. In Japanese, “ami” means “weave,” derived from amimono (編み物), which refers to the meditative act of knitting. For Ng, the collection draws upon childhood memories of watching his grandmother knit jumpers, a gesture imbued with warmth, care, and a sense of timeless connection.
This deeply personal reference is translated into rugs that embrace what Ng calls “down-to-earth, relaxed luxury.” Beyond aesthetics, the collection celebrates values of sustainability, craftsmanship, and memory, themes that resonate throughout AB Concept’s broader body of work.
Kara 空
Craftsmanship by Tai Ping
Each rug in the Ami Collection is crafted from natural wool using hand-tufting techniques. What distinguishes these designs is the attention to detail: hand embroidery, crochet, cut-and-loop texturing, and varying pile heights that lend the rugs a sculptural, three-dimensional quality.
This artisanal approach is characteristic of Tai Ping, a brand known for its ability to merge technical expertise with bespoke artistry. For over six decades, Tai Ping has graced the interiors of luxury hotels, residences, yachts, and private jets worldwide. Their collaboration with AB Concept highlights the best of both design worlds: narrative-led creativity and impeccable execution.
Wa 和
The Six Rugs of the A Mi Collection
Each piece in the A Mi Collection takes its name from a Japanese word, echoing the cultural and emotional underpinnings of the collection. Together, they form a tactile narrative of calm, memory, and connection.
An 安 – Presented in deep burnt orange, An recalls the aesthetic of knitted jumpers through refined hand-embroidery. Its minimal detailing and rectangular form create a calm, sophisticated presence.
Ikoi 憩 – Meaning “rest” or “repose,” Ikoi embodies tranquillity and harmony. Reinterpreting knitting geometries through hand-tufting and shaping, it becomes a sculptural rug that adds warmth to any space.
Kara 空 – In a soft beige tone, Kara uses cut-and-loop techniques and varied pile heights to evoke the gentle weave of handmade knitwear, offering a tactile, three-dimensional finish.
Wa 和 – Inspired by interwoven patterns, Wa takes the form of a hand-made runner in subtle grey. Its contemporary design seamlessly integrates into both minimalist and richly layered interiors.
Sei 静 – Translating to “quiet” or “stillness,” Sei creates a sense of inner calm, transforming a rug into a restful sanctuary. Its detailing conveys comfort and emotional depth.
Iyashi 療 – In soothing sage green, Iyashi highlights hand-embroidered wool textures that enhance its natural beauty. The rug’s name means “healing,” perfectly encapsulating its serene character.
Together, these six rugs reinterpret the cable-knit pattern into modern geometries, each expressed through a warm autumnal palette of burnt orange, mustard yellow, beige, grey, and green.
Sei 静
A Collaboration Rooted in Philosophy
For AB Concept, the Ami Collection is more than a design exercise; it is an extension of their philosophy, which holds that design must resonate emotionally and culturally. Their approach, much like a chef creating a recipe, blends storytelling, local influences, and craftsmanship to produce bespoke experiences.
This collaboration with Tai Ping follows AB Concept’s growing portfolio of product design, including furniture for Poltrona Frau, lighting with Lasvit, and tableware with Noritake. Each partnership demonstrates the studio’s ability to translate architectural thinking into finely crafted objects.
With the Ami Collection, AB Concept and Tai Ping bridge architecture, memory, and materiality, offering rugs that are as much design statements as they are functional objects.
Iyashi 療
A Celebration of Memory, Craft, and Design
The Ami Collection by AB Concept and Tai Ping represents a meeting point of tradition, craft, and innovation. Rooted in personal memory yet executed with contemporary precision, the rugs reflect a deep respect for materiality and emotional resonance.
Through this collaboration, Ng and Ngan have transformed the familiar warmth of knitting into a modern design language, producing rugs that offer both tactile comfort and sculptural presence. With Tai Ping’s craftsmanship, each piece becomes more than a rug; it is a woven narrative of connection, memory, and artistry.
For those seeking to integrate luxury design with meaningful storytelling, the Ami Collection offers not just an object, but an experience.
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