Forma Nofoa by Jaewoo Choi is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2025 A' Design Award Uʻamea in Mamanu Meafale Competition Category.

UʻameaMeafale· 2025

Forma Nofoa

by Jaewoo Choi

Client: Jae Choi

A' Design Award Uʻamea Winner in Meafale Category

10,048

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #169940

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Forma Nofoa

Forma o se nofoa na fausia mai i le pa'u solisoli faato'aga, MDF ma le u'amea. O le foliga o loʻo toe faʻamatalaina ai le ata o se noofoa solofanua. O le pa'u ua fa'afoliga i le auala o le "wet molding", o se tasi o metotia sili ona tuai i galuega fai pa'u, lea e fatuina ai ni foliga malolosi ma tumau. O le wet molding e mafai ai ona faigofie le suiga i le va o vaega malulu ma vaega maaleale, ma o lea ua mafai ai e le nofoa ona tuuina atu le mafanafana faapea foi ma le lagolago. E 560 mm le lautele, 605 mm le loloto, ma 670 mm le maualuga o le Forma. O le mamanu o loʻo suia ai se atinaʻe masani o le faiga sela solofanua i meaafale faaonaponei.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Uʻamea

O le A' Design Award Uʻamea na manumalo ai Forma Nofoa, o se faamaoniga mamalu e tuuina atu i mamanu lelei e faataunuu ai manaʻoga faapolofesa ma pisinisi e faamoemoeina mai galuega ua mamanuina lelei. O ē manumalo i le Uʻamea e faaalia ai le tomai tele, le faapitoa maualuga, le malamalama o tagata poto ma le mafai fatufatuaʻi o ē na faia. E faamoemoeina Forma Nofoa e avea ma mea ua matuā vivii, mataʻina ma pelepelea e aogā ma fou. O lenei mamanu na manumalo i le A' Design Award Uʻamea e tuufaatasia ai faiga sili o le pisinisi ma e iai uiga faatekonolosi mafai ua fesoʻotaʻi ma le poto ma le taleni. Ona o lona faatuatuaina, e tatau ai Forma Nofoa ona faaaloalogia ma ua mamanuina e tuuina mai ai faaleleiga o le olaga e fesoasoani e faia ai e le lalolagi se nofoaga e sili atu ona lelei.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Forma reinterprets the timeless silhouette of a horse’s saddle through the technique of wet molding to shape leather into intricate, structured forms. This method enhances durability and sculptural precision, allowing for seamless transitions between softness and rigidity. By pushing the boundaries of leather manipulation, Forma highlights materiality, refinement, and fluidity, redefining traditional craftsmanship in modern fabrication while achieving both structural integrity and sculptural rhythm.
Dimensions & Packaging: Materials: Vegetable Tanned Leather / MDF / Steel
Dimensions: Width 560 mm x Depth 605 mm x Height 670mm
Tags: Leatherworking, Wet Molding, Material Exploration, Chair, Experimental Furniture Design
Production Technology: Since early civilization, leather has been valued for its versatility, offering both comfort and protection. Wet molding, one of the oldest leatherworking techniques, remains a vital method for shaping leather into structured, durable forms. Forma employs this technique to fuse soft and rigid elements with fluidity, achieving structural refinement. By leveraging this process, the design not only preserves traditional craftsmanship but also explores new possibilities in material adaptation and contemporary fabrication techniques.
Design Challenge: Wet molding is a centuries-old technique, yet its potential within contemporary design remains largely underexplored. This project challenges conventional applications by experimenting with new shaping methods, testing leather’s adaptability, and refining its structural possibilities. Through material-driven research, it seeks to expand the boundaries of craftsmanship, integrating traditional leatherworking techniques with adaptive design solutions.
Research: This project investigates the potential of wet molding through hands-on experimentation, analyzing the material’s flexibility and structural limitations. By studying how leather responds to manipulation, the research informs the development of innovative forms and explores new possibilities in furniture applications. Pushing the boundaries of this traditional craft, the study bridges material experimentation with material-driven design, redefining leather’s role in modern fabrication.
Inspiration: Forma is rooted in a deep appreciation for the transformation of raw materials through time-honored craftsmanship. Inspired by the evolution of saddlery, the project reinterprets traditional processes for new creative applications by examining how wet molding—a technique integral to equestrian gear—can be adapted for contemporary design. The interplay of structure and fluidity found in saddlery serves as the foundation for a piece that honors heritage craftsmanship while embracing design refinement.
Project Duration: The project started in January 2023 in Providence, Rhode Island, and was completed in May 2023.
Operation Flow: Designed to offer both function and sculptural presence, Forma’s structured yet fluid form allows it to serve as a seat while also acting as a statement piece. The careful balance of soft and rigid elements provides both comfort and support, making it a versatile addition to various interior spaces.
Image Credits: Image #1: Creator Jaewoo(Jae) Choi, Forma, 2023.
Image #2: Creator Jaewoo(Jae) Choi, Forma, 2023.
Image #3: Creator Jaewoo(Jae) Choi, Forma, 2023.
Image #4: Creator Jaewoo(Jae) Choi, Forma, 2023.