Flowerblock Planke by Mizuki Chinen is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award yn Sulver in Meubelûntwerp Competition Category.
SulverMeubels· 2026
Flowerblock Planke
Client: Chinen Mizuki
A' Design Award yn Sulver Winner in Meubels Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #180361The Design
About Flowerblock Planke
Flowerblock is in planke dy't ûntwurpen is om te tsjinjen as sawol opbergmeubel as keamerskieder. It ûntwerp is ynspirearre troch flower blocks, betonnen ienheden mei geometryske trochbrutsen patroanen dy't brûkt wurde yn de arsjitektuer fan Okinawa, dy't sterk sinneljocht filterje wylst se lucht trochlitte. Iepeningen tusken de doazen jouwe de planke in licht en iepen oansjen. Roestfrijstielen stangen ferbine de doazen foar stabiliteit, massyf wyt esk stipet de dragende punten, en multipleks ferminderet it totale gewicht. De planke hat gjin efterpaniel, sadat er tsjin in muorre of yn it midden fan in keamer pleatst wurde kin.
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award yn Sulver
Flowerblock Planke is in winner fan de A' Design Award yn Sulver, in bûtengewoan prestisjeuze erkenning foar topûntwerpen dy't prachtich en yndrukwekkend binne. Sulverwinners binne tige briljante en ekstreem kreative wurken dy't de treflike ekspertize, it talint en de skerpsinnigens fan har ûntwerpers yllustrearje. Fan Flowerblock Planke wurdt ferwachte dat it in prachtich foarbyldwurk is, opmerklik profesjoneel en djip ynnovatyf. Dit winnende ûntwerp fan de A' Design Award yn Sulver is in tige opfallende, bewûndere útfining dy't foardiel bringt en de grinzen fan keunst, wittenskip, ûntwerp en technology ferleget. Flowerblock Planke is in skepping dêr't breed oerjûn wurdt, dy't winsken wekker makket, positive gefoelens bringt en ferwûnderjen en fernuvering opwekket.
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.
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