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Uni Uni-systafel deur Xubai Li

Die ontwerp Uni Uni-systafel deur Xubai Li is 'n hoogs gewaardeerde wenner van die baie prestigieuese 2026 A' Design Award in Brons in die Meubelontwerp-kompetisiekategorie.


BronsMeubels· 2026

Uni Uni-systafel

deur Xubai Li

Kliënt: Xubai Li

Wenner van die A' Design Award in Brons in die Meubels-kategorie

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Geverifieerde Toekenningswenner

Verifieer Toekenningsstatus vir #182518

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Die Ontwerp

Oor Uni Uni-systafel

Die Uni integreer binne- en buite-oppervlaktes om onkonvensionele vorme te skep. Geïnspireer deur origami en negatiewe ruimte, het Xubai Li dit ontwerp deur 'n plat aluminiumplaat in 'n driedimensionele volume te vorm. Geskaal van een-sestiende modelle tot volgrootte prototipes, behaal dit stabiliteit deur vou-gebaseerde meetkunde. Bedoel vir stedelike omgewings, funksioneer die Uni as beide 'n tafel en 'n vrystaande voorwerp, wat onbelemmerde negatiewe ruimte en mobiliteit bied vir moderne ateljee-lewe terwyl dit 'n onopvallende voorkoms behou.

Die Erkenning

Oor die A' Design Award in Brons

Uni Uni-systafel is 'n wenner van die A' Design Award in Brons, 'n hoogs prestigieuse erkenning wat toegeken word aan uitstaande ontwerpe wat gekenmerk word deur kreatiwiteit, vindingrykheid en skerpsinnigheid. Wenners in Brons is ruimskoots vaardige en opvallend kreatiewe artefakte wat die groot ervaring, verbeelding en vindingrykheid van hul ontwerpers bevestig. Daar word verwag dat Uni Uni-systafel 'n hoog aangeskrewe, bewonderde en gekoesterde voorwerp is wat merkwaardig professioneel en innoverend is. Hierdie ontwerp wat die A' Design Award in Brons gewen het, inkorporeer die beste praktyke in kuns, wetenskap, ontwerp en tegnologie en is uitstekend vanweë sy aandag aan detail. Uni Uni-systafel bevredig behoeftes pragtig, raak aan begeertes, bekoor gevoelens en spreek die nuuskierigheid aan.

Agter die Ontwerp

Persstel

Krediete, spanlede en tegniese besonderhede verskaf deur die ontwerper.

Unieke Eienskappe
Uni is a singular, continuous form that transmutes a flat aluminum sheet into a sophisticated, freestanding volume. By blurring the line between interior and exterior, the design achieves a structural duality where the tabletop and base exist as one uninterrupted gesture. Its innovation lies in this seamless geometry, offering a sculptural aesthetic that redefines traditional furniture assembly through minimalist rationale. This piece was designed by Xubai Li and manufactured by Bestcase in New York, United States, in a collaboration program, led by Rhode Island School of Design.
Afmetings & Verpakking
533 mm × 508 mm × 457 mm
Etikette
industrial decor, aluminum furniture, minimalist design, side table, sheet metal, sculptural furniture, origami
Produksietegnologie
Uni is made with 5052 Aluminum sheet in .25-inch thickness. The process can be divided into three simple stages: 1. Roller Bending and Brake Press Bending 2. Edge Welding 3. Sand and Standard Waxed Finish to preserve the original aesthetic of the raw material.
Ontwerpuitdaging
The main challenge was finding a form that elegantly embodies the essence of origami while adapting to harsh sheet metal processes. Every additional pressed piece introduced unwanted aesthetic noise. To solve this, we minimized assembly to a singular, continuous form. We also bypassed standard industry powder coating; instead, a simple waxed finish preserved the aluminum's subtle shine, reducing maintenance while celebrating the material's raw, industrial elegance.
Navorsing
The research for Uni was a hybrid of theoretical exploration and material investigation. The primary objective was to subvert traditional expectations of furniture by blurring the boundaries between interior and exterior spaces. The study sought to translate the philosophical principles of origami—transforming a flat, meaningless plane into a meaningful 3D volume—into a functional furniture silhouette.

The methodology employed a "form-from-flatness" approach, utilizing comparative analysis of contemporary sheet metal furniture and traditional origami techniques. Data collection included a literature review of origami philosophy and an analysis of Asian aesthetic principles regarding "negative space" as a poetic element. Additionally, market data from furniture e-commerce platforms was analyzed to identify consumer trends in urban high-density housing.

Technical feasibility was established through consultations with manufacturing specialists to define production constraints. Physical experimentation involved a rigorous iterative prototyping process:

Initial Phase: One-sixteenth and one-quarter scale models were used to test folding geometry.

Testing Phase: Full-scale models were constructed from plastic and strength-enhanced corrugated boards (0.25-inch thickness) to simulate final material behavior.

Review Phase: Interviews with design professionals were conducted to evaluate the aesthetic impact and functional utility of the prototypes.

The research revealed a market gap for pieces that balance "visual openness" with sculptural presence. A key insight was that studio and condo dwellers increasingly prioritize furniture that provides "breathing room" through negative space without sacrificing artistic permanence. Uni impacts the design field by offering a dual-purpose solution: a minimalist utility surface and a monumental sculpture. By utilizing blank space as a functional element, the design addresses the need for openness in small architectural footprints.
Inspirasie
Inspired by origami, Uni explores the transformation of a two-dimensional aluminum plane into a self-supporting, multi-dimensional volume. The design utilizes fundamental roller bending techniques to transform a single sheet into a sophisticated, freestanding object. By eliminating traditional joinery in favor of a singular, continuous gesture, Uni achieves structural integrity.
Projekduur
The project started its design process in February 2024 in Providence, Rhode Island, United States, and finished its first edition for manufacturing in May 2025 in New York, United States, and was first exhibited in International Contemporary Furniture Fair 2025 in New York City, United States, and the Convention Center in the same month, in Rhode Island, United States.
Bedryfsvloei
Uni isn't just a table; it's functional art. You interact with it by placing items on its surface or simply admiring it. As you walk around the room, its folded metal design visually transforms from a solid block into an airy, open sculpture. It performs better than standard furniture because it serves dual purposes: it provides a handy resting spot for everyday objects while elevating your space as a beautiful, free-floating centerpiece that doesn't need to be hidden away.
Beeldkrediete
Image #1: Photographer Jonah Takagi, Uni, 2025.
Image #2: Creator Xubai Li, Uni, 2025.
Image #3: Creator Xubai Li, Uni, 2025.
Image #4: Creator Xubai Li, Uni, 2025.
Image #5: Creator Xubai Li, Uni, 2025.

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