Booklover Primärfunktioun: Multifunktionalen Nuetsdësch by Hyunchul Shim

Booklover Primärfunktioun: Multifunktionalen Nuetsdësch by Hyunchul Shim is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award an Bronze in Miwwelendesign Competition Category.

BronzeMiwwelen· 2026

Booklover Primärfunktioun: Multifunktionalen Nuetsdësch

by Hyunchul Shim

Client: Alex Studio

A' Design Award an Bronze Winner in Miwwelen Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #173869

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

Colors

The Design

About Booklover Primärfunktioun: Multifunktionalen Nuetsdësch

Buchtext: Booklover ass en Nuetsdësch, deen fir déi entworf gouf, déi gär virum Schlofen liesen. Op Basis vun der oppener Struktur vun traditionellem koreanesche Mobiliar verbessert en d'Praktikabilitéit mat Features, déi fir de modernen Gebrauch geegent sinn. Dat agebauten Liicht uewen erméiglecht eng justéierbar Hellegkeet a Faarftemperatur fir d'Liesen an d'Entspanen, während den Messinghänger ënner dem Liicht et erlaabt, Bicher einfach ofzeleeën, an doduerch als Lieszeechen funktionéiert. Dëst Design erméiglecht et de Benotzer, déi zréckhalend Ästhetik vun der koreanescher Traditioun am Alldag z'erliewen, wou Liesen, Nodenken an Entspanen natierlech zesummeflléissen.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award an Bronze

Booklover Primärfunktioun: Multifunktionalen Nuetsdësch ass e Gewënner vum A' Design Award an Bronze, enger héich prestigiéiser Unerkennung, déi un erausragend Designe vergi gëtt, déi sech duerch Kreativitéit, Erfindungsgab a Schlauheet ausgezeechnen. Bronze-Gewënner si voll Fäegkeet a opfälleg kreativ Wierker, déi déi grouss Erfahrung, d'Fantasie an d'Ressourceréichtum vun hire Designer bestätegen. Et gëtt erwaart, datt Booklover Primärfunktioun: Multifunktionalen Nuetsdësch e héich geschätzt, bewonnert a beléifte Géigestand ass, bemierkenswäert professionell an innovativ. Dëst mam Bronze ausgezeechent Design integréiert déi beschte Praktike vun der Konscht, der Wëssenschaft, vum Design an der Technologie an zeechent sech duerch Opmierksamkeet fir Detailer aus. Booklover Primärfunktioun: Multifunktionalen Nuetsdësch erfëllt Bedierfnesser exzellent, beréiert Wënsch, bezauberet Gefiller an erweckt Neigierecht.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Booklover is designed for those who enjoy reading before sleep, reinterpreting the open structure of traditional Korean furniture to suit their lifestyle and sensibilities. It maintains the simplicity of traditional construction while harmoniously combining wood and metal to achieve both aesthetic and functional balance. The brass hanger embodies practicality within its restrained form, and the smart lighting allows adjustment of brightness and color temperature, creating an ideal environment for both reading and relaxation.
Dimensions & Packaging: Dimensions
Width 298 mm x Depth 298 mm x Height 990 mm
Materials
Solid walnut wood, brass, brown glass, polycarbonate, linen
Techniques
Traditional joinery ensures structural strength and fine details. The modular lighting system allows easy maintenance and bulb replacement.
Finishing
Plant-based hardwax oil was applied three times inside before assembly and three times outside after, enhancing wood texture while improving durability and moisture resistance.
Tags: bedside table, mood light, Korean furniture, multifunctional table
Production Technology: This table is entirely handcrafted. Its main structure is built using traditional joinery techniques with solid walnut, while brass is used for the bookend, book hanger, and drawer handles to create a subtle contrast and provide refined visual accents against the dark wood. The lighting element is designed with sustainability in mind, using a modular structure for easy maintenance. The lampshade is made of polycarbonate covered with linen, allowing the light to diffuse softly and warmly.
Design Challenge: By integrating lighting and a book hanger into an open structure, this design offers a warm, practical space for both reading and relaxation. A key challenge was maintaining the furniture overall proportions while accommodating a compact lighting area without compromising usability or sustainability. To solve this, an accessible G9 LED bulb was chosen, and a modular socket holder was custom designed to enable easy replacement within the limited space.
Research: This design reinterprets the structural strengths of traditional Korean furniture into a form suited for book lovers. By reflecting on daily living patterns, it reimagines traditional elements to fit contemporary needs, making them more practical and accessible. Users can feel the poetic beauty of tradition and gain a sense of comfort in their space. The use of wood and metal in balance symbolizes the intention to connect past and present.
Inspiration: This design is inspired by the traditional Korean sabangtakja, an open-frame table with all sides exposed. While preserving its original form, the piece has been reinterpreted with a modern sensibility. The primary inspiration behind the design lies in a deep respect for Korean aesthetics rooted in the values of emptiness, balance, and line and in the desire to carry forward a contemplative way of life shaped by traditional lifestyle.
Project Duration: The project started with the design phase at Alex Studio in Korea in January 2023 and was completed in May 2023.
Operation Flow: The upper lighting unit connects to a smartphone via Wi-Fi, allowing users to freely adjust brightness and choose between cool white, neutral, and warm white color temperatures. A touch switch on the back enables intuitive power control even without a smartphone. Below the light, a book hanger serves both as a bookmark and a display for current reads. Underneath, shelves and a drawer are arranged to efficiently store books, reading accessories, and bedroom essentials.
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Jeon Jaekyung, Perspective View, 2025.
Image #2: Photographer Jeon Jaekyung, Side View Detail, 2025.
Image #3: Photographer Jeon Jaekyung, Book Shelf Detail, 2025.
Image #4: Photographer Jeon Jaekyung, Drawer Detail, 2025.
Image #5: Photographer Jeon Jaekyung, Actual Usage Example Mood Light On, 2025.