The Umu bedroom collection, designed by Neri&Hu for Ariake, is inspired by the Chinese aesthetic philosophy of xu shi xiang sheng (虚实相生). Xu shi is a classic pairing of opposing words, xu meaning void or virtual, and shi meaning solid or real. Thus, xu shi xiang sheng is the notion of the interdependence and productive nature of this dichotomy— “solid” and “void” together create “space” as we know it. The bed design is composed of a utilitarian structural frame that then accommodates various attachments and accessories. The idea is to consolidate many of the bed and bedside functions into one piece, with three different configurations to suite different spaces and needs.