Lina Pākaukau Buffet by Larissa Sanches is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Hao in Hoʻolālā Lako Hale Competition Category.

HaoLako Hale· 2026

Lina Pākaukau Buffet

by Larissa Sanches

Client: Larissa Sanches Design

A' Design Award Hao Winner in Lako Hale Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #182332

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Lina Pākaukau Buffet

Ua hoʻoulu ʻia ka Pākaukau Buffet ʻo Lina e nā hoʻomanaʻo o nā hui ʻohana a me nā kuhikuhi i ka hale o ke kupuna wahine. Ua kapa ʻia ma muli o ke kupuna wahine o ka mea hoʻolālā, hoʻohuli ia i ke pā hoʻonaninani i mea kūpono a hōʻailona hoʻi ma o nā ʻau lāʻau paʻa i māhele ʻia ma nā puka. ʻO kona kino poepoe a me kona mau wāwae piʻo, kuhikuhi ia i nā ʻano hoʻopiʻo i loaʻa pinepine ma nā hale kuʻuna, e hoʻoikaika ana i ka manaʻo o ka kamaʻāina a me ka hoʻoilina. Hoʻokaulike ka hoʻolālā i ka hana, ka hōʻailona a me ka hoʻomanaʻo aloha ma kahi ʻāpana lako hale i hoʻomaʻemaʻe ʻia.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Hao

Ua lanakila ka hoʻolālā Lina Pākaukau Buffet i ka A' Design Award Hao, he ʻike hoʻohanohano i hāʻawi ʻia i nā hoʻolālā maikaʻi e hoʻokō ana i nā koi ʻoihana a ʻoihana hana i manaʻo ʻia mai nā mea hoʻokumu i hana maikaʻi ʻia. Hōʻike nā lanakila Hao i ka mākau nui, ka loea kiʻekiʻe, ka ʻike akamai a me ka hiki hana noʻeau o ka poʻe i hana iā lākou. Manaʻo ʻia ʻo ka hoʻolālā Lina Pākaukau Buffet he mea hoʻokumu i mahalo nui ʻia, hoʻohiwahiwa ʻia a aloha ʻia e pono a hou. ʻO kēia hoʻolālā i lanakila i ka A' Design Award Hao e hoʻohui ana i nā hana maikaʻi loa o ka ʻoihana a loaʻa nā ʻano ʻenehana mākaukau i hui pū ʻia me ka ʻike hana a me ka makakoho. Mahalo ʻia ka hoʻolālā Lina Pākaukau Buffet no kona nānā pono a ua hoʻolālā ʻia e hāʻawi i nā hoʻomaikaʻi ola e kōkua ai i ka hana ʻana i ka honua i wahi maikaʻi aku.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: The Lina Buffet reinterprets the decorative plate as a functional and symbolic element. Crafted in solid wood and divided into two halves forming the door handles, the plate complements the buffet's function and reinforces its connection to the dining setting, where meals are served and gatherings take place. The rounded forms and arched legs extend the grandmother's home concept, inspired by the curved and arched elements found in traditional architecture.
Dimensions & Packaging: W 1800mm x D 450mm x H 750 mm
Tags: Lina Buffet, decorative plate, affective design, gathering, family, heritage, memory, belonging, product design, furniture design, Brazilian design, Larissa Sanches
Production Technology: The structure is made of MDF coated with natural wood veneer, while the doors receive a lacquered finish. The base is produced in flat carbon steel, ensuring strength with visual lightness. The handles are machined from solid wood and feature a brass inlay that outlines the plate geometry, combining industrial processes with refined craftsmanship and high-quality finishing.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was integrating a symbolic object with strong cultural and emotional meaning into the functional structure of the buffet, ensuring it would be recognizable and part of the piece. The project required refining the decorative plate, simplifying its elements while preserving its identity, and translating architectural references from traditional houses into the structure through curves and arches without giving the piece a vintage look.
Research: This design research explores how cultural memory and symbols from everyday domestic life can inspire contemporary furniture. Drawing from familiar elements present in Brazilian homes, the study reflects on how objects can carry emotional meaning beyond their practical role. Observations of dining rituals, visual references and material exploration guided the process, revealing how subtle symbolic details in furniture can evoke memories, reinforce identity and enrich everyday living experiences.
Inspiration: Inspired by memories of family gatherings and meals at the designer's grandmother's house, the Lina Buffet was created. One of the most memorable elements of that home was the decorative wall plates, objects that carry the symbolism of abundance and family heritage. The buffet translates these references into functional furniture, aligned with a search for emotional comfort and identity. It embeds nostalgia into a piece that reconnects people with the home as a place of refuge and belonging.
Project Duration: The buffet was developed between May and June 2025, in the city of Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Operation Flow: The buffet's double doors open through two halves of a wooden plate that form the handles. Internal compartments organize tableware and items used during gatherings, while the top serves as a surface for serving and display. It connects functional daily use with emotional memory.
Image Credits: Images: Larissa Sanches Design