Press Release
Nastaran Khanzade Receives the Bronze A' Design Award for Sarv Counter Chair in Furniture Design
The international grand jury of the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition recognizes Nastaran Khanzade for furniture design
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 25, 2026 /DesignNewswire/ A' Design Award & Competition has confirmed the Bronze A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category for Sarv Counter Chair by Nastaran Khanzade, designed for Rendi. The award was conferred within the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition and was decided through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who evaluated anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
What the Bronze A' Design Award Means
The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.
About Sarv Counter Chair
Sarv is a counter chair designed for use at counters and high tables. The frame is made of solid wood, and the seat is upholstered in fabric over high-density foam. The form is inspired by the Persian cypress tree, a symbol of resilience in Iranian culture. The elongated legs recall the vertical growth of the tree, and the curved armrests echo its branches. Production combines precision cutting, steam bending, CNC milling and hand finishing. The chair measures about 100 cm in height, 50 cm in width and 55 cm in depth.
About Nastaran Khanzade
Nastaran Khanzade is a product and furniture designer based in Mashhad, Iran. With extensive experience in furniture manufacturing workshops, she creates designs that are both aesthetically distinctive and fully executable. Her work is deeply inspired by the fluidity of Persian Nastaliq calligraphy, translating cultural identity into contemporary furniture forms. She provides production-ready solutions, combining artistic vision with practical craftsmanship.
Award Record
This recognition makes Nastaran Khanzade a winner of 2 A' Design Awards. All of the awards belong to the 2025 - 2026 edition of the A' Design Award & Competition.
About the A' Furniture Design Award
The A' Furniture Design Award is an international furniture competition recognizing good furniture designs by best furniture designers worldwide. The competition is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to furniture designers, product designers, industrial design studios and furniture brands from all countries. Entries typically include chairs, tables, sofas, beds, cabinets and shelves. Awarded furniture designs are published at https://designers.org/design-category/furniture
About A' Design Award & Competition
A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade organized annually since 2008. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The A' Design Award has a philanthropic mission to advance society through good design by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Entries are peer reviewed and anonymously evaluated by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. The A' Design Prize granted to eligible laureates includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, the upload of a work and the preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. Further information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://designers.org/177115
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/177115
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!177115
- Laureate Profile: https://designers.org/d/266943
- Further Information from the Laureate: https://www.instagram.com/nastaran___khanzade
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
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Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Sarv Counter Chair
- Function
- Counter Chair
- Category
- Furniture Design
- Discipline
- Industrial Design
- Industry
- Furniture & Home
- Colors
- Gainsboro, Light Gray, Dark Gray, Dark Slate Gray and Dim Gray
- Images
- 5
- Client
- Rendi
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Nastaran Khanzade
- Country
- Iran
- Recognition
- Bronze A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2025 - 2026
- Design ID
- #177115
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- This chair combines sculptural aesthetics with ergonomic functionality. Its fluid wooden frame is designed not only for structural integrity but also for visual harmony. The dynamic geometry of the legs provides stability while maintaining a sense of movement and lightness. The curved armrests offer subtle support, enhancing comfort without overwhelming the form. Each angle reveals a new perspective, allowing the piece to stand both as functional furniture and as a statement of art.
- Inspiration
- The design of this counter chair is inspired by the Persian cypress tree, a timeless symbol of freedom, resilience, and elegance in Iranian culture. Just like the cypress stands tall with its upward-reaching branches, the structure of the chair conveys both stability and lightness. The elongated legs reflect the vertical growth of the tree, while the fluid arms echo its branching form that opens gracefully towards the sky. Crafted in wood, the design translates the natural strength and serenity of the cypress into a contemporary seating piece, bridging nature, tradition, and modern living.
- Research
- The research behind the project focused on how natural symbols in Iranian culture could inspire contemporary furniture design. The cypress tree, often depicted in Persian gardens, carpets, and poetry, was studied for its form and symbolic meaning. The design sought to capture the tree’s balance between strength and grace. Structural research was also conducted to translate organic forms into functional joinery, ensuring both durability and ergonomic use.
- Challenge
- The main challenge was transforming the vertical and symbolic essence of the cypress tree into a practical chair form. Maintaining balance between artistic expression and ergonomic functionality required extensive prototyping. Achieving the fluid organic structure with precision also demanded innovative production techniques, combining digital technology with traditional craftsmanship.
- Realization and Technology
- The chair is crafted from solid wood using advanced woodworking techniques such as precision cutting, steam bending, and joinery. The flowing organic form is achieved through CNC milling combined with hand-finishing, allowing both accuracy and a human touch. The seating surface is upholstered with high-quality fabric to enhance comfort while maintaining a minimalist aesthetic. Sustainable materials and processes were prioritized in order to reflect the natural inspiration behind the design.
- Operation and Interaction
- The chair is designed for use at counters and high tables, offering a balance between comfort and posture. The seat provides ergonomic support with a cushioned surface, while the armrests give a sense of security and ease. Its stable wooden structure ensures durability, and its lightweight form allows for effortless movement and placement in different settings such as kitchens, bars, or social spaces.
- Project Duration and Location
- Location: Designed and produced at Rendi Factory, Mashhad, Iran. Project Duration: The project started in 2024 and took approximately one month to complete, from concept development to final prototype.
- Specifications
- Specifications / Technical Properties Dimensions: approx. 100 cm (height) x 50 cm (width) x 55 cm (depth) Materials: Solid wood (walnut or ash) + high-density foam + fabric upholstery Finish: Natural wood finish, hand-polished Weight: Lightweight yet structurally stable
- Keywords
- Counter Chair, Bar Stool, Wooden Furniture, Contemporary Design, Ergonomic Seating, Iranian Design, Cypress Inspiration, Modern Furniture, Handmade, Interior Design, Sustainable Furniture, Sculptural Chair, Art Furniture, Mashhad Design
