Cube He Hōpa me te Tēpu by Saya Takamine is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Rino in Hoahoa Taputapu Competition Category.
RinoTaputapu· 2026
Cube He Hōpa me te Tēpu
Client: Saya Takamine
A' Design Award Rino Winner in Taputapu Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #179553The Design
About Cube He Hōpa me te Tēpu
I ahu mai te whakaaweawe o tēnei taonga hoahoa i te rerekētanga i waenga i te raima me ngā tipu kākāriki e kitea ana i ngā taiao tāone o ia rā. Kua whakawhitia ngā āhuatanga māori taiao ki tētahi reo hoahoa āhuahanga. Ka whakaohooho te mata i te raima kua mākū i te ua, ā, ka whakaatu ngā papanga i te taratara me te rerekē o te rawa. Ko ngā tohu hina mātao me te whāriki tēpu ōrite ka whakanui i te hanga o te mata me ngā hononga tae. Ko te pūkohu horihori kua whakaurua ka kawe mai i tētahi āhua taiao māori e āta kitea ana engari he pēhi. Mā te āta whakahaere i te tapuwae me te teitei, ka tutuki i tēnei taonga te taurite ā-kanohi i roto i tōna taiao.
The Recognition
About the A' Design Award Rino
Ko Cube He Hōpa me te Tēpu te toa o te A' Design Award Rino, he whakaaetanga whai mana e hoatu ana ki ngā hoahoa pai e whakatutuki ana i ngā hiahia ngaio me te ahumahi e tūmanakohia ana mai i ngā mahi kua hoahoatia pai. Ko ngā toa Rino e whakaatu ana i te pukenga nui, te tohungatanga teitei, te māramatanga mātanga me te kaha auaha o ō rātou kaihanga. E tūmanakohia ana ko Cube He Hōpa me te Tēpu he mahi whakanuia, whakamīharotia, aroha nui, he whaihua, he auaha hoki. Ko tēnei hoahoa i toa i te Rino e whakakotahi ana i ngā tikanga pai rawa o te ahumahi, ā, he āhuatanga hangarau pūkenga tōna e hono ana ki te mōhio me te pūmanawa. E whakahonoretia ana a Cube He Hōpa me te Tēpu mō tōna tōtika, ā, i hoahoatia hei whakapai ake i te kounga o te oranga me te āwhina i te ao kia pai ake.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- Cube is a modular furniture piece that integrates seating and surface functions within a unified, sculptural form.
The texture of concrete is expressed through a curated combination of different fabrics which is achieving a solid appearance with tactile softness.
Inspired by Karesansui, faux moss representing plants is arranged in a natural and restrained yet noticeable balance. The three blocks have different aspect ratios, translating the accidental beauty found in natural concrete cracks into geometric design. The inverted trapezoidal form provides a wide, comfortable seat while minimizing floor contact, allowing the piece to harmonize with the surrounding space. - Dimensions & Packaging
- Depth 600 mm x Width 650 mm x Seat Height 370 mm
- Tags
- Sofa, Table, Concrete, Greenery, Plants, Moss, Contrast, Artificial, Urban Landscape
- Production Technology
- The internal structure is primarily made of plywood, achieving a lightweight form while maintaining the appearance of concrete. The two sofa cubes incorporate cushioning materials and soft, tactile fabrics, creating seating surfaces that visually resemble concrete yet remain comfortable and inviting.
- Design Challenge
- Determining the taper angle of the base and achieving a realistic visual balance were major challenges. Even a one degree difference in the taper significantly affected the overall impression and proportions, requiring the examination of numerous 3D models. In pursuit of realism, extensive experimentation was conducted to identify the optimal fabric combinations and paint color adjustments to express the texture of concrete.
- Research
- In the process of translating the concept into a product, existing furniture was researched and evaluated based on real world usability. This informed a balance between visual appeal and functional comfort. From the structural framework to the upholstery, the piece was repeatedly examined and refined from a makers perspective, leading to continuous improvements throughout the production process.
- Inspiration
- This project draws inspiration from the contrast between the inorganic, artificial concrete that fills urban environments and the greenery that sprouts powerfully from its crevices. It aims to transform the relationship between artificial outdoor elements and the modest yet vigorous vitality of the plants thriving within them into an indoor object at a scale suitable for everyday living spaces.
- Project Duration
- The project started in June 2025 and finished September 2025 in Okinawa, Japan
- Operation Flow
- Of the three cubes, two function as cushioned sofas and one as a wooden table. The table can hold drinks or books, encouraging communication with others, while also allowing a single user to relax comfortably with ample space. While the concept is fully expressed when all three cubes are combined, each cube can also be used independently, allowing flexible arrangements depending on the occasion and environment.
- Image Credits
- Image #1-5: Saya Takamine, Hiroto Nakamura
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