Zoey Meaʻai Inu by Ozlem Sahin is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Auro in Meafale Umukuka Competition Category.

AuroMeafale Umukuka· 2026

Zoey Meaʻai Inu

by Ozlem Sahin

Client: Lav

A' Design Award Auro Winner in Meafale Umukuka Category

49,089

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #178392

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Zoey Meaʻai Inu

O Zoey o se aofaʻiga o ipu tioata ua mamanuina mo le faʻaaogaina i aso uma. O le aofaʻiga e aofia ai se ipu uisiki, lua ipu tioata mo vaiinu uumi, ma se ipu tioata lauti ma lona ipu mafolafola e fetaui. O le mamanu e faagaeeina mai foliga tutū o le fausaga faa-Gothic ma le geometry o faupolo faʻavaʻa. O laina togitogia e sopoia luga taʻitasi ma fatuina ai se taʻaloga lemū o le malamalama. O vaega taʻitasi e faia mai le tioata soda lime e ala i le auala tulei ma feula. O le fausiaina pulea e maua ai le mafiafia paleni o puipui mo le tumau ma le uuina lelei. Ua aumaia e Zoey se uiga faa-fausaga i le teuina o le laulau.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Auro

O le A' Design Award Auro na manumalo ai Zoey Meaʻai Inu, 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 Zoey Meaʻai Inu 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. Zoey Meaʻai Inu 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: The Zoey collection is a modern glassware family inspired by the elegant vertical forms of Gothic architecture. The engraved surface lines give each piece a refined character while creating a subtle play of light. The collection includes one whiskey tumbler, two long drink glasses, and a tea glass with a matching saucer. Perfectly suited for everyday enjoyment, Zoey adds a touch of graceful sophistication to any table setting.
Dimensions & Packaging: Whiskey glass: H:86mm R:82mm, Long Drink Glass 1: H:130mm R:72mm, Long Drink Glass 2: H:150mm R:75mm, Tea glass: H:95mm R:59mm, Tea Saucer: H:15mm R:124mm.
Tags: Drinkware, Gothic, Architecture, Glassware, Tableware
Production Technology: Zoey is produced from soda lime glass using the press blown technique, a process that ensures precision, consistency, and high quality results in production. The carefully controlled forming achieves optimal wall thickness and balance, providing both durability and a comfortable feel in daily use. Each piece is designed to showcase light, texture, and form while maintaining stability and ease of handling. The result is a collection that transforms architectural elegance into a tactile experience, blending visual sophistication with everyday practicality.
Design Challenge: Creating the Zoey collection presented the challenge of transforming Gothic architectural motifs into contemporary glassware that reflects both the strength and refined elegance of Gothic design. Preserving the expressive visual presence of these elements while achieving comfort, balance, and manufacturability was central to the design process. Multiple iterations with press blown glass techniques were necessary to perfect proportions and clean geometries. Zoey results in a distinctive, sophisticated collection that is visually compelling and fully suited for mass production.
Research: The project aimed to translate the expressive character of Gothic architecture into a contemporary glassware collection that combines aesthetic refinement with everyday usability. Research into the vertical rhythm and structural harmony of Gothic structures guided the design toward a form conveying height, lightness, and understated strength. Inspired by the repeated arrangement of architectural lines, multiple variations in line spacing, proportions, and engraving depth were explored to achieve a balanced, coherent identity. The Zoey collection transforms architectural elegance into a tactile, modern experience, bringing poetic structure and refined simplicity to daily rituals.
Inspiration: Inspired by the timeless grace of Gothic forms, particularly the intricate and striking geometry of rib vaults, Zoey combines architectural precision with modern simplicity. Each piece transforms everyday moments into refined experiences, bringing subtle elegance and a sense of architectural harmony to the table.
Project Duration: The project which started in February 2024, was completed in January 2025 and exhibited at the 2025 Ambiente fair.
Operation Flow: The Zoey collection draws its expressive character from the vertical rhythm of Gothic architecture, a motif celebrated for harmony, height, and quiet drama. These repeating lines guide the eye upward, creating a graceful sense of movement that feels both structured and poetic. The refined geometry of design not only enhances its sculptural presence but also supports a natural interaction, allowing the hand to find a steady and intuitive grip. Balanced proportions ensure a smooth flow in everyday use, making each piece feel familiar, comfortable, and effortlessly integrated into daily rituals.
Team Members: Product Design Executive: Özlem Şahin
Product Design Manager: Özge Göksu Tezcan