Thermo Dome Ulo U'amea Fa'a'ave (Cast Iron) by Shakes Design

Thermo Dome Ulo U'amea Fa'a'ave (Cast Iron) by Shakes Design is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Auro in Meafale Umukuka Competition Category.

AuroMeafale Umukuka· 2025

Thermo Dome Ulo U'amea Fa'a'ave (Cast Iron)

by Shakes Design

Client: Sanxia Co., Ltd.

A' Design Award Auro Winner in Meafale Umukuka Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #164733

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Thermo Dome Ulo U'amea Fa'a'ave (Cast Iron)

O le Thermo Dome o se ulo u'amea fa'a'ave ua mamanuina mo le taoina, tunuina ma le kukaina lemu. O lo'o iai se fua vevela ua fa'apipi'iina i totonu o le 'au o le tapuni, ina ia mafai ona faitauina le vevela mai luga po'o le va'aia atu i le tioata o le faitoto'a o le ogaumu e aunoa ma le tatalaina o le ogaumu. O le fua fa'ata'amilo e pei o se fa'apotu e fa'amanino ai le faitauga, ma e tumau ai le atoa o le voluma ma foliga o le ulo. E iai fo'i se fa'ailoga saogalemu e fa'ailoa mai ai pe a matuā vevela le tapuni e lē mafai ona pa'i i ai. O le ulo e faia mai u'amea toe fa'aaogāina e ala i le fa'a'ave i le oneone ma le masini CNC, ona fa'amāe'a lea i le 'enamela fa'avelaina. O lo'o iai fo'i se mea e tautau ai le tapuni ma se mea e tu'u ai le sipuni ua tu'ufa'atasia i le mamanu.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Auro

O le A' Design Award Auro na manumalo ai Thermo Dome Ulo U'amea Fa'a'ave (Cast Iron), o se faamaoniga matuā mamalu e tuuina atu i mamanu o le tulaga muamua, matagofie ma maoaʻe. O ē manumalo i le Auro o galuega fou tele, matuā vaai i le lumanaʻi ma susulu e faaalia ai le atamai, le poto ma le tomai o tagata mamanu. E faamoemoeina Thermo Dome Ulo U'amea Fa'a'ave (Cast Iron) e avea ma mea fou e matuā vivii, e faatulaga ai uiga fou ma tetele, e tuuina mai ai se tau e leʻi iai muamua. O lenei mamanu na manumalo i le A' Design Award Auro o se galuega ofoofogia, ua faaaloalogia, e aogā tele ma tuleia atu tapulaʻa o le faatufugaga, saienisi, mamanu ma tekonolosi. Thermo Dome Ulo U'amea Fa'a'ave (Cast Iron) e fatuina ai lagona malosi o le manaʻo, faaosofia le tuinanau, faalauiloa le fatufatuaʻi ma faamalosia i tatou.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Thermo Dome enhances cast iron versatility for baking, roasting, and slow cooking, where temperature control is crucial. Many rely on infrared thermometers or guesswork, often requiring oven openings that disrupt cooking. The Design solves this by integrating a cost-effective thermometer into the lid handle, instead of the pot wall, preserving the ideal volume and shape of the pot. The domed panoramic temperature scale enables clear monitoring from above or through an oven door glass panel, and saves energy by eliminating the need to open the oven.
Dimensions & Packaging: Handle to handle: 30cm
Height incl. Lid: 16.8cm
Inner Diameter: 23cm
Volume: 4.5-7liters (5 QT)
Tags: cast iron pot, sustainable kitchen cookware, modern kitchen, dutch oven,
Production Technology: The Cast Iron Pot is crafted from recycled iron scrap in Thailand, reinforcing sustainability. The process involves melting, precision sand casting, CNC machining, and baking a premium enamel finish in glossy or matte. The Thermo Dome thermometer, developed with a third-party specialist, ensures accuracy, durability, and heat resistance. Securely attached to the lid, this thermometer provides long-lasting, low-maintenance temperature monitoring, making the cookware a sustainable and enduring kitchen essential.
Design Challenge: A major challenge was sourcing a reliable supplier for the Thermo Dome thermometer, requiring refinements for accuracy under high temperatures. Innovating in this traditional cookware category beyond aesthetics was also complex. The design process explored modern cast iron uses, such as sourdough baking and small-space adaptability. Achieving high-quality enamel coloring required extensive refinement. While our earth-tone collection is launched, we continue optimizing gradient-tone finishes. Additionally, we sought to reduce unnecessary kitchen tools, integrating multiple functions into a streamlined, user-friendly design.
Research: Our research combined online studies, user testing, and direct observation of home chefs and bakers. Issues identified include the need for precise temperature control, heat loss from oven openings, and costly, repair-prone thermometer-integrated cookware. Several users also reported burning themselves by unknowingly picking up a hot lid. These insights led to the Thermo Dome panoramic thermometer and Safety Indicator, offering a cost-efficient, durable, and easy-to-read solution for safer, more precise cooking.
Inspiration: The Thermo Dome Cast Iron Pot features a sleek, functional design with a striking handle profile that seamlessly blends into the pot, dynamically balancing soft surfaces with strong structures. With a unique panoramic thermometer, enhanced safety features, and sustainable craftsmanship, this Cast Iron Cookware seamlessly blends tradition and innovation. Designed for passionate home chefs and bakers, it enhances the precision and convenience of cast iron cooking in a modern kitchen.
Project Duration: The project took about one month in product design and another three months in manufacturing and sample development.
Operation Flow: Thermo Dome ensures an intuitive and efficient cooking experience. Its high-quality cast iron retains heat evenly, while thoughtful features enhance usability. The panoramic thermometer allows real-time monitoring without opening the oven. The hot-safe indicator signals when the lid is too hot. A built-in lid hanger saves space, securing the lid on the edge of the pot. One handle includes a spoon rest, keeping cooking areas tidy. These design elements improve ergonomics and convenience, ensuring seamless cooking and serving.
Patents: Sanxia Houseware Co., Ltd.
Shakes Bkk Co., Ltd.
Team Members: Prompong Hakk,
Siena Gou