Balanco Noho Hiki ke Hoʻoʻāhui by Lisa Lai and Joel Wong

Balanco Noho Hiki ke Hoʻoʻāhui by Lisa Lai and Joel Wong is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 A' Design Award Kala in Hoʻolālā Lako Hale Competition Category.

KalaLako Hale· 2022

Balanco Noho Hiki ke Hoʻoʻāhui

by Lisa Lai and Joel Wong

Client: Tati

A' Design Award Kala Winner in Lako Hale Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #129786

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Balanco Noho Hiki ke Hoʻoʻāhui

ʻO Balanco he pūʻulu ʻāpana hiki ke hoʻoʻāhui e lilo ai i noho, i papaʻaina, a i mea pāʻani. Hiki ke hoʻonohonoho, hoʻokau, a hoʻoʻāhui ʻia nā ʻāpana lehulehu ma nā ʻano he nui. Pono ke ahonui a me ka mālie no ke kaulike ʻana i nā ʻāpana, no laila hiki ke kaʻana like ʻia ʻo Balanco e nā hoaaloha a me nā ʻohana ma ka home. Ua kūkulu ʻia ke ʻano me ka huʻa a māmā ka mea, a ʻo ka pau ʻana o ka lole huluhulu me ka waihoʻoluʻu honua he palupalu ke hoʻopā. Palekana nā ʻāpana no nā keiki liʻiliʻi a paʻa nō hoʻi e hiki ai i nā mākua ke noho ma luna. Kūpono nā nui like ʻole i ke kiʻekiʻe o nā keiki a me nā mākua.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Kala

Ua lanakila ka hoʻolālā Balanco Noho Hiki ke Hoʻoʻāhui i ka A' Design Award Kala, he ʻike hoʻohanohano nui loa i hāʻawi ʻia i nā hoʻolālā kiʻekiʻe loa, nani a kupaianaha. He mau hana ʻālohilohi loa a hana noʻeau nui nā lanakila Kala e hōʻike ana i ka loea, ka makakoho a me ka ʻoi aku o ka noʻonoʻo o kā lākou poʻe hoʻolālā. Manaʻo ʻia ʻo ka hoʻolālā Balanco Noho Hiki ke Hoʻoʻāhui he hana kupaianaha, kūlana ʻoi aku, ʻoihana kiʻekiʻe a hou loa. ʻO kēia hoʻolālā i lanakila i ka A' Design Award Kala he mea hoʻokumu kūpono loa, mahalo ʻia e hāʻawi i ka pōmaikaʻi a hoʻoneʻe i nā palena o ka hana noʻeau, ka ʻepekema, ka hoʻolālā a me ka ʻenehana. He mea i ʻeleu ʻia e nā mea he nui ka hoʻolālā Balanco Noho Hiki ke Hoʻoʻāhui e hoʻāla i ka makemake, lawe mai i nā manaʻo maikaʻi a hoʻāla i ka kamahaʻo a me ka mahalo.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Balanco consists of a series of multifaceted blocks, offering unlimited possibilities to arrange, position, and stack. As it requires significant patience and calmness to balance the blocks, it serves as one of the practical yet fun solutions for friends and families to enjoy with one another. When it is not used as objects for play, it doubles as stools and tables for adults and children.
Dimensions & Packaging: Largest block- 600mm x 450mm x 350mm
Smallest block- 350mm x 350mm x 350mm
Felt finishing and foam-based structure.
Tags: stool, table, toy, furniture, children, stacking, facets, play, kids, family
Production Technology: The lightweight and solid structure makes it suitable and safe for young children. The earth-tone felt finish aims to invite nature vibes into the house. It is soft and comfortable to touch.
Design Challenge: The challenge was to create a series of stackable furniture that is lightweight and safe for children even when the blocks topple over. At the same time, it is solid and strong for adults to sit and stand on them. This obstacle was overcomed as we experimented with various materials, details and manufacturing methods.
Research: The design intent was to deliver a design with a strong concept, through aesthetic simplicity.
Inspiration: With the persistence of the pandemic, staying at home has become a new norm. In most highly populated and dense cities, finding peace and mental wellness can be difficult. Inspired by the pebble towers, Balanco offers a way to find physical and inner balance, while learning to collaborate with others in the process of playing.
Project Duration: The project started in October 2020, and finished in December 2020. It was documented and exhibited as part of the HKTDC's programme in Hong Kong.
Operation Flow: Balanco functions as play objects, stools and tables. The varying sizes accommodate the ergonomics and heights from young children to adults.
Team Members: Lisa J. Lai and Joel Wong
Image Credits: Lisa J. Lai, 2020