【Heavenly Roundness, Earthly Squareness · Artisanal Heritage】Synthetec® Stone Grating : Where Eastern Wisdom Meets Modern Aesthetics
【The “Round for the Pure, Square for the Impure” of Hong Kong Manhole Covers: Eastern Wisdom in Urban Texture】
Walking through the streets and alleys of Hong Kong, observant people will always notice the “urban codes” on the ground – those seemingly ordinary manhole covers actually hold hidden secrets. Small square grid patterns indicate sewage manhole covers, while circles and radial patterns mark stormwater manhole covers. This “round for clear, square for turbid” design concept embodies the ancient Chinese cosmology of “heaven is round, earth is square“: the round shape symbolizes the fluidity and purity of the sky, while the square represents the stability and sedimentation of the earth. This design that perfectly combines practical function with philosophical thinking is a unique mark of Hong Kong, a city where Eastern and Western cultures blend.
【FIBRPRO® Innovation: When Traditional Wisdom Meets Modern Aesthetics】
Inspired by this traditional wisdom, the FIBRPRO® stone research and development team under FIP has spent two years to launch two breakthrough designs for channel covers:
The “Liuyan” series employs varied curves to evoke a visual effect akin to the flow of smoke, breaking away from the rigid impression of traditional straight lines in canal covers. Drawing inspiration from Chinese ink paintings, the designer enables even hard stone materials to exhibit a graceful and dynamic rhythm. This design is particularly suitable for modern art parks, cultural squares, and other venues that pursue creative expression.
The “Fangyuan” series directly traces its origins to Eastern philosophy, adopting the design of a copper coin that is round on the outside and square on the inside. As an ancient Chinese currency, the copper coin’s “heaven is round and earth is square” design not only carries cultural memories but also subtly reflects modern engineering principles: the circular outer frame disperses pressure, while the square inner grid enhances load-bearing capacity. This design is both a tribute to traditional culture and a perfect presentation of functional aesthetics.
【Why do top projects choose Synthetec® stone grating？】
From Galaxy Macau Fashion Hub’s “Macau’s Brilliant New Chapter” to Synthetec®’s tree hole grating at Singapore Changi Airport, from FIBRPRO®’s new quality productivity at Hong Kong Kai Tak Sports Park to the new quality and new materials at Hung Hom Haixin Park, Synthetec® has become synonymous with new quality, and stone grating have become a symbol of quality:
- Revolutionary Material: Utilizing a patented formula, it contains no metal components, effectively addressing issues such as corrosion and deformation commonly found in traditional channel covers. The unique synthetic stone technology extends the product’s lifespan by 3-5 times.
- Unlimited customization possibilities: Supports comprehensive customization of colors, textures, and shapes, and can even perfectly replicate the texture of natural stone, making canal covers an organic part of ground art.
- Intelligent safety design: The surface temperature is 15-20 ℃ lower than that of metal materials, and there will be no burns in summer; The anti slip coefficient reaches 0.7, ensuring safety even in rainy weather; The unique barrier free design allows wheelchairs and strollers to pass without obstruction.
Every city has its unique temperament, and every detail is worth carefully crafting. Phipp believes that good design should not only focus on the stars, but also be down-to-earth. Whether it’s the modern tension of ‘flowing smoke’ or the cultural heritage of ‘surrounding areas’, goodness is Synthetec® stone grating can add unique charm to urban construction.
Synthetec® in Hong Kong, Synthetec® in China, Synthetec® in the world
