Desafinado Being-suidhe by Cass Saldanha

Desafinado Being-suidhe by Cass Saldanha is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Duais Umha A' Design Award in Dealbhadh Àirneis Competition Category.

UmhaÀirneis· 2026

Desafinado Being-suidhe

by Cass Saldanha

Client: SAL+Co

Duais Umha A' Design Award Winner in Àirneis Category

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Desafinado Being-suidhe

'S e being-suidhe a th' ann an Desafinado a chaidh a dhealbhadh mar sgrùdadh air cothromachadh agus stuamachd. Tha an cumadh a' leantainn soilleireachd Lochlannach, le loidhnichean dìreach agus geoimeatraidh shìmplidh, air a chur còmhla ri cuideam agus dìrichead nuadhachas brutalach Bhraisileach. Tha na cumaidhean ìosal a' toirt cuireadh do shuidheachadh socair, agus tha an sgaradh eadar an t-suidheachan agus an cùl a' cruthachadh teannachadh lèirsinneach. Tha thar-chrochadh a dh'aona-ghnothach a' cothromachadh an t-suidheachain agus a' chùil ann an comhairean mu choinneamh a chèile. Tha a' bheing air a dèanamh cha mhòr gu lèir de dharach Eòrpach le stain dhubh, agus tha cuisean tana air fhuaigheal le làimh ann an leathar dìollaid Bhraisileach a' toirt an t-suidheachain gu buil.

The Recognition

About the Duais Umha A' Design Award

Tha Desafinado Being-suidhe air Duais Umha A' Design Award a bhuannachadh, aithneachadh gu math urramach a bheirear do dhealbhaidhean sònraichte a tha air an comharrachadh le cruthachalachd, innleachd agus geurchuis. Tha buannaichean Umha nan obraichean gu math sgileil agus gu sònraichte cruthachail a dhearbhas eòlas farsaing, mac-meanmna agus tapachd an luchd-dealbhaidh. Thathar an dùil gum bi Desafinado Being-suidhe na nì air a bheil mòran meas, ion-mholta agus gràdhach, a tha gu sònraichte proifeiseanta agus ùr-ghnàthach. Tha an dealbhadh seo a bhuannaich Duais Umha A' Design Award a' cur nan cleachdaidhean as fheàrr ann an ealain, saidheans, dealbhadh agus teicneolas an gnìomh, agus tha e sàr-mhath airson an aire do mhion-fhiosrachadh. Bidh Desafinado Being-suidhe a' sàsachadh fheumalachdan gu h-iongantach, a' suathadh ri miannan, a' tàladh faireachdainnean agus a' togail fiosrachd.

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