Cheng Tsung FENG presents Nesting Plan IX Dragon in Slovenia
For the ninth edition of his Nesting Plan series, artist Cheng Tsung FENG draws from local cultural motifs in Ljubljana, Slovenia, selecting the dragon, a prominent symbol in the city’s mythology, as the subject of the installation. The Nesting Plan series learns from the architectural expertise of the animal builders inhabiting each site, interpreting their nesting techniques through human construction materials, such as wood and metal, and craftsmanship as a tribute to their remarkable natural instincts. This time, the project takes place in Ljubljana, a city that sees the dragon as its guardian and spiritual symbol, earning it the nickname Dragon City. Inspired by the local dragon culture, the artist chose the mythical creature as the subject of the nesting plan for the first time.
all images by FIXER Photographic Studio
Construction materials mirror a mythic dragon’s strength
Drawing from depictions of dragons in legends, ancient paintings, films, and childhood memories, the artist imagines a dragon capable of flying, powerful enough to clutch boulders, dwelling in harsh environments where other creatures cannot reach and plants cannot grow. Taking inspiration from the size and claws of the four green bronze dragons on the city’s famous Dragon Bridge, Cheng Tsung FENG envisioned the nest’s materials, interior space, and entrance dimensions, and created this imagined dragon’s nest. This work is designed to be movable; all of its components can be dismantled and reused, reassembled into furniture such as tables and chairs, extending its possibilities in countless ways. It is a gift dedicated to Ljubljana and its dragons, a nest for myth and imagination. Nesting Plan IX Dragon is commissioned by The Wellbeing Project for the Global Hearth Summit 2025.
Cheng Tsung FENG presents Nesting Plan IX Dragon in Ljubljana, Slovenia
the installation explores local mythology through architectural form
Ljubljana’s iconic dragon symbol forms the basis of the nest’s concept
part of the ongoing Nesting Plan series studying animal-built environments
the nest reflects the scale and claw forms of the Dragon Bridge sculptures
construction materials mirror the imagined strength of a mythic dragon
the structure is entirely modular and fully dismantlable
Nesting Plan IX offers a myth-informed response to place and narrative
freestanding, the nest forms an inhabitable sculptural object
interior volume and entrance are proportioned for symbolic function
Ash wood and joinery techniques evoke traditional craftsmanship
project info:
name: Nesting Plan IX Dragon
artist: Cheng Tsung FENG | @chengtsungfeng
location: Ljubljana, Slovenia
organizer: The Wellbeing Project
co-organizer: Center Rog
curator: Carrie Barratt, Anique Jordan
project design: Chan Wei HSU
thematic research: Cheng PENG
production assistance: Chung Sheng HSU, Kuan Chen CHEN, Jan Lovše, Yi Cheng LIN, Chien Hsiang HUANG, Po Chun LIANG, Chun Hung CHEN
structural analysis: Jianquan Engineering Consultants
woodwork: Chiao Sen Wooden Industry Co.,Ltd
metalwork: Yi-Chang Laser
paint coating: Yuan-Wei Technology
lighting design: Oude Design
human resource manager: Miaw Mann CHEN
photographer: FIXER Photographic Studio | @fixer_photographic_studio
designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom
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