Desafinado Bankua by Cass Saldanha is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award in Altzari Diseinua Competition Category.

BrontzeAltzariak· 2026

Desafinado Bankua

by Cass Saldanha

Client: SAL+Co

Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award Winner in Altzariak Category

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Verified Award Winner
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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

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The Design

About Desafinado Bankua

Desafinado oreka eta neurritasunaren azterketa gisa diseinatutako bankua da. Formak Eskandinaviako argitasunari jarraitzen dio, lerro zuzenekin eta geometria sinplearekin, Brasilgo modernismo brutalistaren pisu eta zuzentasunarekin konbinatuta. Proportzio baxuek jarrera lasaia hartzera gonbidatzen dute, eta eserlekuaren eta bizkarraldearen arteko banaketak tentsio bisuala sortzen du. Nahita egindako irtengune batek eserlekua eta bizkarraldea kontrako norabideetan orekatzen ditu. Bankua ia osorik Europako haritzez egina dago, tindu beltzarekin, eta Brasilgo zela-larruz eskuz josita egindako kuxin mehe batek osatzen du eserlekua.

The Recognition

About the Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award

Desafinado Bankua Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award irabazlea da, sormenak, asmamenak eta zorroztasunak bereizten dituzten diseinu bikainei ematen zaien aitorpen oso prestijiotsua. Brontze-mailako irabazleak trebetasunez beteriko eta nabarmenki sortzaileak diren artefaktuak dira, beren diseinatzaileen esperientzia zabala, irudimena eta ekimena egiaztatzen dutenak. Desafinado Bankua oso estimatua, miretsia eta maitea den objektua izatea espero da, nabarmenki profesionala eta berritzailea dena. Brontzezko Saria A' Design Award irabazi duen diseinu honek artearen, zientziaren, diseinuaren eta teknologiaren praktika onenak biltzen ditu eta xehetasunei ematen dien arretagatik bikaina da. Desafinado Bankua beharrak bikain asetzen dituen, desirak ukitzen dituen, sentimenduak xarmatzen dituen eta jakin-mina erakartzen duen lana da.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Desafinado bench is conceived as a study in balance and restraint. Rooted in Scandinavian design, it relies on simple, straight lines and clear geometry. The low-lying proportions invite a relaxed posture, while the split between back and seat creates a visual tension. An intentional overhang balances the extended seat and back to opposite directions, turning structure into function.
Dimensions & Packaging: Materials:
Black Stained Oak
Seat in saddle leather

Dimensions:
Width: 130 inches or 39624 mm
Depth: 16 inches or 4876.8 mm
Height: 22 inches or 6705.6 mm
Seat Height: 12 inches or 3657.6 mm
Tags: Bench, Brazilian, wood, Balance, furniture
Production Technology: The bench is built almost entirely from a single material: European oak. Finished with a black stain, the wood emphasizes grain, mass, and shadow. This restrained material choice reinforces the clarity of the design, allowing form, proportion, and structure to define the piece without distraction.
The bench is complemented with a thin, hand-stitched seat cushion upholstered in authentic Brazilian saddle leather forced from local small business.
Inspiration: The piece draws from Scandinavian clarity, but it is grounded in Brazilian brutalist modernism. Its forms are direct and architectural rather than delicate or refined. The bench avoids excessive polish, embracing weight, presence, and material honesty. This subtle roughness distinguishes it from Japanese minimalism and reinforces its brutalist character.
Project Duration: Conceived in Miami in 2022, the project evolved through an intensive four-month prototyping phase and reached its final form in August of that year. The bench exists as a true one-of-one piece; all remaining prototypes were deliberately destroyed upon completion, reinforcing its singularity.
Operation Flow: Beyond simple seating, the Desafinado Bench invites multiple uses: a surface to recline or stretch, a platform for books and objects, or an architectural element that works as a space divider or low table. It shifts easily between function and presence, adapting to the way the body and the room engage with it.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Cass Saldanha, 2022.
This design is available for reproduction. Please contact the Designer if you have interest in discuss intellectual property and licensing the rights.
Image Credits: Cassiano Saldanha