Tokyo Noho Hoʻomaha by Isabelle De Mari is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Kala in Hoʻolālā Lako Hale Competition Category.

KalaLako Hale· 2026

Tokyo Noho Hoʻomaha

by Isabelle De Mari

Client: Olho Moveis Autorais

A' Design Award Kala Winner in Lako Hale Category

18,400

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #181979

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

Colors

The Design

About Tokyo Noho Hoʻomaha

He noho hoʻomaha ʻo Tokyo i hana ʻia me ka lāʻau paʻa sucupira o Palakila. Ua waiho ākea ʻia ke kino holoʻokoʻa o ka noho, e hōʻike ana i ka hoʻohui ʻana o nā ʻāpana lāʻau a me nā māhele lāʻau i hoʻokalakala ʻia. Ua wili ʻia nā lima a me nā koʻo kua ma ka mīkini wili lāʻau ma lalo o ka hoʻokele lima, me nā kikoʻī pohopoho ma nā wēlau. Ua hoʻokomo ʻia kahi ʻili maoli i loko o kēlā me kēia kūlana lima a hoʻopau ʻia me ka humuhumu ʻana. Hui pū nā uluna o ka noho a me ke kua i ka polūheu polyurethane papapapa me ka hoʻopiha hulu manu, i uhi ʻia me ka lole ʻolonā mākuʻe. Ua ʻānai lima ʻia nā ʻili a hoʻopau ʻia me ka waniki hinuhinu ʻole. Hoʻohana kēia hoʻolālā i nā loina hana lāʻau Kepanī ma kahi lāʻau no Palakila.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Kala

Ua lanakila ka hoʻolālā Tokyo Noho Hoʻomaha 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 Tokyo Noho Hoʻomaha 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 Tokyo Noho Hoʻomaha 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: Tokyo asserts craftsmanship as structure and expression. Defined by its fully exposed wooden frame in solid Brazilian sucupira, the lounge chair reveals precision woodworking through manually operated lathe-turned arms with subtle concave detailing at the ends. An inlaid leather armrest refines the tactile experience, balancing substantial material presence with aesthetic lightness and disciplined form.
Dimensions & Packaging: Dimensions: 700 mm W x 800 mm D x 700 mm H.
Weight: approximately 30 kg.
Structure: solid sucupira wood.
Armrests with recessed natural leather inlay and stitching.
Seat and back cushions with layered foam and feather filling, upholstered in brown linen.
Finish: matte acrylic varnish.
Non disassemblable construction.
Tags: Lounge chair, Solid wood furniture, Japanese craftsmanship, Brazilian sucupira, Exposed structure, Artisanal woodworking, Contemporary seating, Minimalist design, Leather inlay
Production Technology: Tokyo is manufactured in certified solid Brazilian sucupira hardwood. Structural components are precision machined, with arms and back supports shaped on a mechanically driven lathe under manual control. Armrests incorporate recessed detailing for flush leather inlay. Elements are hand sanded to refine concave terminations. The base is assembled from solid planks with radiused edges. Upholstery combines multi density polyurethane foam and feather filling. Finished with water based matte varnish.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was achieving formal discipline while working with substantial volumes of solid wood. Balancing structural mass with refined proportion required precise control during lathe shaping and manual finishing. Internally, the project sought to reinterpret Japanese woodworking principles within a Brazilian material context. Externally, contemporary production constraints demanded efficiency without compromising craft integrity, requiring careful coordination between technique, material and artisanal execution.
Research: Research focused on refining solid sucupira structure through controlled manual processes. The objective was to test how lathe shaped components and proportional studies could enhance structural precision. Methodology included full scale prototyping and ergonomic evaluation. Data was collected through physical mockups and material testing. Experiments centered on hand guided finishing. Results confirmed durability and refined surface quality, reinforcing craft driven production in contemporary furniture.
Inspiration: Tokyo was inspired by the principles of Japanese woodworking, where precision, restraint and respect for material define construction. The project explores how substantial volumes of solid wood can achieve visual lightness through disciplined detailing and controlled form. By prioritizing hand guided processes, even when using mechanical tools, the design embraces an a mano approach, valuing the artisan gesture over automated production.
Project Duration: The project started in July 2025 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and was completed in October 2025. It was officially launched in November 2025 as part of the Tokyo Collection, a broader furniture series inspired by Japanese culture and craftsmanship.
Operation Flow: Tokyo is experienced as a balance between structure and comfort. The solid wood frame provides visual stability, while the layered cushions offer a soft and supportive seat. The recessed leather armrest enhances tactile contact, creating a refined resting point for the hands. Its proportions encourage a relaxed posture without excess, allowing the user to feel supported by craftsmanship rather than hidden structure.
Team Members: Designer: Isabelle De Mari
Designer: Filipe Melo