The First One Oche Abalị by Luisa Gonzalez Mijares

The First One Oche Abalị by Luisa Gonzalez Mijares is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Igwe in Nhazi Ngwá Ụlọ Competition Category.

IgweNgwá Ụlọ· 2026

The First One Oche Abalị

by Luisa Gonzalez Mijares

Client: Luisa Gonzalez Mjares

Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Igwe Winner in Ngwá Ụlọ Category

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The Design

About The First One Oche Abalị

Kabịnetị a na-ejikọta ọrụ osisi ọdịnala na ụdị nke oge a, na-eji teak a zọpụtara na osisi birch plywood. Ijikọ osisi a na-akwanyere ùgwù na nkwadebe ejiri aka mee na-egosi nkà aka, ebe ụkpụrụ slat na agba dị iche iche na-enye mmetụta nke oge a. Slat ndị ahụ nwere mkpịsị na-emepụta mmetụta anya na onyinyo na-agba mgba ka ọnụ ụzọ na-agbanwe, na-agbakwụnye ike egwuregwu na nkà. Ngwakọta a na-asọpụrụ ụzọ ọdịnala ebe ọ na-etinye ihe nkà nke oge a, na-eme ka ọ na-arụ ọrụ ma na-egosipụta echiche.

The Recognition

About the Ihe Nrite A' Design Award nke Igwe

The First One Oche Abalị meriri A' Design Award nke Igwe, nnabata dị ugwu e nyere design ndị dị mma nke na-emezu ihe ndị a chọrọ n'ọrụ na ụlọ ọrụ nke a na-atụ anya n'ihe e kere eke ndị e mere nke ọma. Ndị meriri na Igwe na-egosi nka buru ibu, ọkachamara dị elu, nghọta ọkachamara na ikike imepụta nke ndị kere ha. A na-atụ anya na The First One Oche Abalị ga-abụ ihe e kere eke a na-asọpụrụ nke ukwuu, a na-eto na a hụrụ n'anya nke bụ ihe bara uru ma dị ọhụrụ. Design a meriri A' Design Award nke Igwe na-ejikọta ụzọ kacha mma nke ụlọ ọrụ ma nwee àgwà teknụzụ kwesịrị ekwesị jikọtara na ihe ọmụma na talent. A na-asọpụrụ The First One Oche Abalị maka nlezianya ya ma e mere ya ka ọ nye mmeziwanye ndụ nke na-enyere aka ime ka ụwa bụrụ ebe ka mma.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This cabinet blends traditional woodworking with modern flair using reclaimed solid teak and Birch Plywood. Classic joinery and hand-finishing highlight craftsmanship, while slatted designs and contrasting tones add a contemporary edge. The textured slats create optical illusions and shifting shadows as the door moves, infusing playful dynamism and art into the piece. This fusion respects heritage techniques while embracing innovative design, making it both functional and expressive.
Dimensions & Packaging: Hight 500mm, Width 400mm, Depth 300mm
Tags: Furniture, Reclaimed, wood, plywood, optical illusion, stability, art
Production Technology: This furniture piece blends traditional and modern woodworking. Dovetail joints create a sturdy, classic drawer, while marriage joints ensure precise wood connections. Biscuit joinery strengthens the carcass, and teak edge lipping enhances plywood durability and elegance. Hand-routed grooves hold teak slats, creating a striking optical illusion and floating effect.
Design Challenge: The creative challenge was to transform the proportions given by the guidelines into something aesthetically acceptable or pleasing to my criteria by the incorporation of optical illusions in the design to distract the eye from the given proportions.
Research: Crafting solid wood furniture in coastal Cornwall remains a challenge due to high humidity over 80 in uninsulated 1700s1800s stone cottages and sea breezes, causing wood to swell warp and loosen joints affecting function look and durability. Combining traditional joinery with stable birch plywood and reclaimed teak which resists moisture and salty air ensures furniture stays structurally sound in Cornish coastal climate The piece has been tested in various environments to prove its stability
Inspiration: This furniture design project came from my studies. I had to work with set proportions, one drawer and one door. I did not find the guidelines nor proportions appealing, therfore I experimented with optical illusions to make the drawer and door blend, and visually giving the piece a lighter floating perception. I drew inspiration from Carlos Cruz Diez, the clean lines of Japanese design and from the conviction that any object can blend with art and functionality.
Project Duration: The project started in February 2024 and ended in July 2024 in the Cornwall College Camborne, Cornwall, UK.
The piece remained in exhibition in the College gallery for a another year when they offered to but it from me. Sadly I had to decline the offer at the time, but might consider donating it to them instead at some point in the future.
Operation Flow: The operation and interaction of this furniture piece are intentionally subtle, designed to conceal any obvious function while integrating decorative elements as operational handles, The vertical teak slats a whilst a aesthetic feature doubles as handles for both the door and the traditional drawer creating a seamless flow. Opening the door reveals the interior while pulling the drawer engages the same slatted design blending utility with art. This interplay ensures the units purpose remains discreet inviting users to explore its kinetic charm and optical illusions through tactile engagement enhancing both form and function.
Team Members: Luisa Gonzalez Mijares
Image Credits: All images
Photographer : Remi Cribb