Tokyo Nofoa Mālōlō by Isabelle De Mari is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award Ario in Mamanu Meafale Competition Category.

ArioMeafale· 2026

Tokyo Nofoa Mālōlō

by Isabelle De Mari

Client: Olho Moveis Autorais

A' Design Award Ario Winner in Meafale Category

18,400
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #181979

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

Colors

The Design

About Tokyo Nofoa Mālōlō

O le Tokyo o se nofoa mālōlō e faia i le laau maʻaʻa mālosi o le sucupira mai Pasila. O le fausaga o le nofoa e faʻaalia atoatoa, e faʻaalia ai fesoʻotaʻiga o laau ma vaega laau ua faʻafoliga. O lima ma lagolago o le tua e liliu i luga o se masini viliviliau i lalo o le pulea e lima, ma faʻamatalaga faʻalava i pito. O se laulau paʻu masani ua faʻapipiʻi i totonu o lima taʻitasi ma faʻamaeʻa i le suʻiga. O aluga o le nofoa ma le tua e tuʻufaʻatasia ai foam polyurethane faʻavasegaina ma le faʻatumu fulu, ma ufiufi i le lino lanu enaena. O luga o laau e olo i lima ma faʻamaeʻa i se vanesi le iila. O le mamanu e faʻaaogaina ai mataupu faavae o galuega laau a Iapani i se meafaitino mai Pasila.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award Ario

O le A' Design Award Ario na manumalo ai Tokyo Nofoa Mālōlō, o se faamaoniga matuā mamalu e tuuina atu i mamanu sili ona lelei, matagofie ma mataʻutia. O ē manumalo i le Ario o galuega susulu tele ma fatufatuaʻi e faaalia ai le poto, le taleni ma le atamai o tagata mamanu. E faamoemoeina Tokyo Nofoa Mālōlō e avea ma galuega matagofie, o se fesuiaiga mo isi, e iloga i le tomai faapolofesa ma mea fou loloto. O lenei mamanu na manumalo i le A' Design Award Ario o se mea e iloga, ua mataʻina e aogā ma tuleia atu tapulaʻa o le faatufugaga, saienisi, mamanu ma tekonolosi. Tokyo Nofoa Mālōlō o se mea e fiafia i ai le toatele, e fafagu ai manaʻoga, aumaia ai lagona lelei ma tupu ai le ofo.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: Tokyo asserts craftsmanship as structure and expression. Defined by its fully exposed wooden frame in solid Brazilian sucupira, the lounge chair reveals precision woodworking through manually operated lathe-turned arms with subtle concave detailing at the ends. An inlaid leather armrest refines the tactile experience, balancing substantial material presence with aesthetic lightness and disciplined form.
Dimensions & Packaging: Dimensions: 700 mm W x 800 mm D x 700 mm H.
Weight: approximately 30 kg.
Structure: solid sucupira wood.
Armrests with recessed natural leather inlay and stitching.
Seat and back cushions with layered foam and feather filling, upholstered in brown linen.
Finish: matte acrylic varnish.
Non disassemblable construction.
Tags: Lounge chair, Solid wood furniture, Japanese craftsmanship, Brazilian sucupira, Exposed structure, Artisanal woodworking, Contemporary seating, Minimalist design, Leather inlay
Production Technology: Tokyo is manufactured in certified solid Brazilian sucupira hardwood. Structural components are precision machined, with arms and back supports shaped on a mechanically driven lathe under manual control. Armrests incorporate recessed detailing for flush leather inlay. Elements are hand sanded to refine concave terminations. The base is assembled from solid planks with radiused edges. Upholstery combines multi density polyurethane foam and feather filling. Finished with water based matte varnish.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was achieving formal discipline while working with substantial volumes of solid wood. Balancing structural mass with refined proportion required precise control during lathe shaping and manual finishing. Internally, the project sought to reinterpret Japanese woodworking principles within a Brazilian material context. Externally, contemporary production constraints demanded efficiency without compromising craft integrity, requiring careful coordination between technique, material and artisanal execution.
Research: Research focused on refining solid sucupira structure through controlled manual processes. The objective was to test how lathe shaped components and proportional studies could enhance structural precision. Methodology included full scale prototyping and ergonomic evaluation. Data was collected through physical mockups and material testing. Experiments centered on hand guided finishing. Results confirmed durability and refined surface quality, reinforcing craft driven production in contemporary furniture.
Inspiration: Tokyo was inspired by the principles of Japanese woodworking, where precision, restraint and respect for material define construction. The project explores how substantial volumes of solid wood can achieve visual lightness through disciplined detailing and controlled form. By prioritizing hand guided processes, even when using mechanical tools, the design embraces an a mano approach, valuing the artisan gesture over automated production.
Project Duration: The project started in July 2025 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, and was completed in October 2025. It was officially launched in November 2025 as part of the Tokyo Collection, a broader furniture series inspired by Japanese culture and craftsmanship.
Operation Flow: Tokyo is experienced as a balance between structure and comfort. The solid wood frame provides visual stability, while the layered cushions offer a soft and supportive seat. The recessed leather armrest enhances tactile contact, creating a refined resting point for the hands. Its proportions encourage a relaxed posture without excess, allowing the user to feel supported by craftsmanship rather than hidden structure.
Team Members: Designer: Isabelle De Mari
Designer: Filipe Melo