Flowerblock Étagère by Mizuki Chinen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award d'Argent in Design de Mobilier Competition Category.

ArgentMobilier· 2026

Flowerblock Étagère

by Mizuki Chinen

Client: Chinen Mizuki

A' Design Award d'Argent Winner in Mobilier Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #180361

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Flowerblock Étagère

Flowerblock est une étagère conçue pour servir à la fois de meuble de rangement et de cloison de séparation. Le design s'inspire des flower blocks, ces blocs de béton aux motifs géométriques ajourés utilisés dans l'architecture d'Okinawa, qui filtrent la lumière intense du soleil tout en laissant circuler l'air. Les espaces entre les caissons confèrent à l'étagère une apparence légère et aérée. Des tiges en acier inoxydable relient les caissons pour assurer la stabilité, le frêne blanc massif renforce les points porteurs et le contreplaqué allège l'ensemble. Dépourvue de panneau arrière, l'étagère peut être adossée à un mur ou disposée au centre d'une pièce.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award d'Argent

Flowerblock Étagère est lauréat de l'A' Design Award d'Argent, une reconnaissance énormément prestigieuse décernée à des designs haut de gamme, superbes et impressionnants. Les lauréats Argent sont des œuvres tout à fait brillantes et extrêmement créatives qui illustrent l'expertise, le talent et la perspicacité remarquables de leurs concepteurs. Flowerblock Étagère est censé être une œuvre merveilleuse, une vitrine de savoir-faire, remarquablement professionnelle et profondément innovante. Ce design lauréat de l'A' Design Award d'Argent est une invention très notable et admirée, qui sert l'art, la science, le design et la technologie et en repousse les limites. Flowerblock Étagère est une création très enviée qui éveille les désirs, apporte des sentiments positifs et suscite émerveillement et étonnement.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This shelf deliberately leaves space between boxes, creating an overall cool and light impression. Light and air pass through the gaps, reducing visual pressure and creating a pleasant sense of openness in the space. Its open, airy presence, reminiscent of Okinawa's climate, evokes a refreshing feel even in hot seasons, bringing a gentle rhythm to the room it occupies. It is a design that considers not only functionality but also visual coolness.
Dimensions & Packaging: 2000mm x 400mm x 1020mm
Tags: Shelf, Design, Furniture, Furniture design,
Production Technology: Stainless steel rods connect the boxes, ensuring durability and stability. The surfaces where these rods are inserted utilize solid white ash wood for its superior strength, providing robust support to load-bearing areas. Meanwhile, plywood is used for other sections to achieve overall weight reduction.
Design Challenge: To make the structure viable, we went through numerous trials and errors. Ensuring sufficient strength and stability proved particularly challenging. However, increasing strength inevitably added weight, so we also struggled to balance robustness with lightness.
Research: We conducted a durability test to verify how much weight the two stainless steel rods can withstand.
Inspiration: This shelf was designed inspired by Flower Blocks widely used in the architecture of my hometown, Okinawa. Flower Blocks are concrete blocks featuring geometric openwork patterns. They possess the characteristic of blocking strong sunlight while allowing pleasant breezes to pass through, combining practicality and decorative appeal. I focused on this functional beauty and incorporated a structure conscious of pathways for light and wind into the shelf's design.
Project Duration: The project commenced in Okinawa in April 2025.
Operation Flow: This shelving unit is intentionally designed without a back panel, allowing it to serve not only as storage furniture but also as a partition that gently divides a room. By not completely blocking sightlines or light, it maintains an open feel while enabling zoning according to purpose. Another key feature is its flexibility in placement it can be installed not only against walls but also in the center of a room or near windows. It adapts flexibly to changes in lifestyle and spatial usage.