Booklover Foncion Principala: Taula de Cabeç Multifoncionala by Hyunchul Shim

Booklover Foncion Principala: Taula de Cabeç Multifoncionala by Hyunchul Shim is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award de Bronze in Dissènh de Mobilièr Competition Category.

BronzeMobilièr· 2026

Booklover Foncion Principala: Taula de Cabeç Multifoncionala

by Hyunchul Shim

Client: Alex Studio

A' Design Award de Bronze Winner in Mobilièr Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #173869

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Colors

The Design

About Booklover Foncion Principala: Taula de Cabeç Multifoncionala

Tèxte del Libre: Booklover es una taula de cabeç concebuda per los que aiman legir abans de dormir. Basada sus l'estructura dobèrta del mobilièr tradicional corean, melhora la practicitat amb de foncionalitats adaptadas a un usatge modèrne. L'esclairatge integrat a la part superiora permet d'ajustar la luminositat e la temperatura de color per la lectura e la relaxacion, mentre que lo penjador de laton jol l'esclairatge permet de pausar aisidament los libres tot en foncionant coma marca-pagina. Aqueste concèpte permet als utilizaires de rescontrar l'estetica sòbria de la tradicion coreana dins la vida vidanta, ont la lectura, la contemplacion e la relaxacion se mesclan naturalament.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award de Bronze

Booklover Foncion Principala: Taula de Cabeç Multifoncionala a ganhat la distincion A' Design Award de Bronze, una reconeissença plan prestigiosa acordada a de designs excellents que se destrian per la creativitat, l'engenh e la finessa. Los ganhaires del Bronze son d'artefactes largament abils e sorprenentament creatius que provan la vasta experiéncia, l'imaginacion e l'engenhositat de lors designers. S'espèra que Booklover Foncion Principala: Taula de Cabeç Multifoncionala siá un objècte fòrça considerat, admirat e estimat, notablament professional e innovant. Aqueste design ganhaire de la distincion A' Design Award de Bronze integra las melhoras practicas de l'art, de la sciéncia, del design e de la tecnologia e es excellent per son atencion al detalh. Booklover Foncion Principala: Taula de Cabeç Multifoncionala satisfa esplendidament los besonhs, toca los desirs, encanta los sentiments e interèssa la curiositat.

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.