Skip to content
Mushroom Bijzettafel by Hyunjae Noh

Mushroom Bijzettafel by Hyunjae Noh is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award in Brons in Meubelontwerp Competition Category.


BronsMeubels· 2025

Mushroom Bijzettafel

by Hyunjae Noh

Client: Hyunjae Noh

A' Design Award in Brons Winner in Meubels Category

Colors

The Design

About Mushroom Bijzettafel

Het Mushroom-project is een milieuvriendelijk initiatief waarbij houtresten van meubelproductie worden hergebruikt voor een uniek ontworpen kleine bijzettafel. In plaats van de resten weg te gooien, worden ze zorgvuldig tot brede panelen gevormd en gerangschikt om een driedimensionaal kopshoutpatroon te creëren. Het tafelblad toont een opvallend dwarsdoorsnede-ontwerp met drie verschillende houtsoorten, terwijl de vloeiend gebogen poten doen denken aan een paddenstoelsteel. Met een hoogte van 380 mm fungeert Mushroom als salontafel of nachtkastje, waarbij afgedankt hout nieuwe waarde krijgt en afval wordt geminimaliseerd.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award in Brons

Mushroom Bijzettafel is winnaar van de A' Design Award in Brons, een hoogst prestigieuze erkenning die wordt toegekend aan uitstekende ontwerpen die zich onderscheiden door creativiteit, vindingrijkheid en scherpzinnigheid. Winnaars in Brons zijn ruimschoots vaardige en opvallend creatieve artefacten die de grote ervaring, verbeelding en het vernuft van hun ontwerpers bevestigen. Mushroom Bijzettafel wordt verwacht een hooggewaardeerd, bewonderd en gekoesterd object te zijn dat opmerkelijk professioneel en innovatief is. Dit ontwerp dat de A' Design Award in Brons heeft gewonnen, verwerkt de beste praktijken in kunst, wetenschap, ontwerp en technologie en is uitstekend door zijn aandacht voor detail. Mushroom Bijzettafel bevredigt schitterend behoeften, raakt verlangens, charmeert gevoelens en spreekt de nieuwsgierigheid aan.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties
During the furniture crafting process, a substantial amount of wood scraps is generated, often appearing in irregular shapes and small sizes, eventually being discarded. Mushroom is a small coffee table crafted by utilizing these wood scraps, presenting a unique mushroom shaped design. The tabletop is created by recycling three different types of wood scraps, forming an intriguing end-grain pattern.
Dimensions & Packaging
380mm x 380mm x 400mm
Tags
wood, craft, coffee, table, eco friendly, sustainable
Production Technology
To efficiently utilize wood scraps, the end grain technique was used to create wooden panels. This approach not only allowed the creation of larger panels from smaller pieces but also showcased the unique patterns characteristic of end grain wood. The panel was then shaped into a circular tabletop and finished with oil to ensure durability and longevity. The table legs were crafted by laminating multiple layers of wood together and refining only the edges using a lathe, minimizing waste. This method significantly reduced the amount of discarded material during furniture production.
Design Challenge
To create the end grain pattern, the small wood scraps had to be shaped into consistent forms. While the wood pieces were too small to safely use a table saw, I was able to make a template using a laser cutter. By combining the template with the wood scraps, I was able to shape all the pieces into the same form.
Research
The Mushroom project is an initiative to recycle wood scraps generated during furniture manufacturing, rather than discarding them. The scraps are carefully shaped to create wide panels, and then arranged to form a three dimensional end grain pattern. Through this project, discarded wood scraps are given new value, and the amount of waste wood is minimized, making it an environmentally friendly solution.
Inspiration
While taking a furniture-making course at OCAD University, I learned that the production process often generates a significant amount of wood scraps, most of which end up being discarded. These wood pieces were of high quality but were overlooked due to their small size. At OCAD University, these scraps were collected in one place for students to use freely. Seeing this, I was inspired to gather various wood pieces to make furniture.
Project Duration
This project was initiated in November 2022 and completed in December 2022 at OCAD University in Toronto.
Operation Flow
Mushroom is a small table with a height of 380mm. It can be used as a coffee table or a bedside table and is characterized by its use of discarded wood to create a beautiful patterned wood panel, which is then used in its construction.

Sponsored

Explore Beyond Designers.org

Discover products, services and opportunities from our advertising partners.

Good Design Deserves Great Recognition

The A' Design Award is an international, juried accolade for good design. Take part in the A' Design Award to get an opportunity to earn meritocratic recognition, gain fame, prestige and publicity for your work. Nominate your work for the A' Design Award and compete for the coveted A' Design Prize.

Nominate