The First One Tafole ea Mantsiboea by Luisa Gonzalez Mijares

The First One Tafole ea Mantsiboea by Luisa Gonzalez Mijares is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Moputso oa Tšepe oa A' Design Award in Moralo wa Fenitjhara Competition Category.

TšepeFenitjhara· 2026

The First One Tafole ea Mantsiboea

by Luisa Gonzalez Mijares

Client: Luisa Gonzalez Mjares

Moputso oa Tšepe oa A' Design Award Winner in Fenitjhara Category

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Colors

The Design

About The First One Tafole ea Mantsiboea

Khabothene ena e kopanya mosebetsi oa khale oa lehong le setaele sa sejoale-joale, e sebelisa lehong la teak le boroko ba birch plywood. Tsela ea khale ea ho kopanya lehong le ho phethela ka matsoho e bonts'a botsebi ba boenjiniere, ha mefuta e mengata ea li-slats le mebala e fapaneng e fana ka kgwele ea sejoale-joale. Li-slats tse nang le sebopeho li hlahisa liphello tsa pono le meriti e fetohang ha lemati le sutha, e eketsa matla a thabo le bonono. Motsoako ona o hlompha mekhoa ea khale ha o ntse o kenyelletsa thepa ea sejoale-joale, e netefatsa ts'ebetso le ho itlhahisa.

The Recognition

About the Moputso oa Tšepe oa A' Design Award

The First One Tafole ea Mantsiboea ke mohapi oa Moputso oa Tšepe oa A' Design Award, kananelo e hlomphehang e fuoang meralo e metle e finyellang litlhoko tsa porofeshenale le tsa indasteri tse lebelletsoeng ho lintho tse hlahisitsoeng tse entsoeng hantle. Bahapi ba Tšepe ba bontša bokhoni bo boholo, bokhethehi bo phahameng, kutloisiso ea litsebi le bokhoni ba boqapi ba baqapi ba bona. The First One Tafole ea Mantsiboea e lebelletsoe ho ba ntho e hlahisitsoeng e hlomphuoang haholo, e ratoang le e ratehang, e sebetsang le e nang le mehopolo e mecha. Moralo ona o hapileng Moputso oa Tšepe oa A' Design Award o kenyelletsa mekhoa e metle ka ho fetesisa ea indasteri mme o na le litšobotsi tsa theknoloji tse nang le bokhoni tse amanang le tsebo le talenta. Ka lebaka la botlalo ba eona, The First One Tafole ea Mantsiboea e tšoanelehela tlhompho mme e entsoe ho fana ka ntlafatso ea bophelo e thusang ho etsa hore lefatše le be sebaka se molemo.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: This cabinet blends traditional woodworking with modern flair using reclaimed solid teak and Birch Plywood. Classic joinery and hand-finishing highlight craftsmanship, while slatted designs and contrasting tones add a contemporary edge. The textured slats create optical illusions and shifting shadows as the door moves, infusing playful dynamism and art into the piece. This fusion respects heritage techniques while embracing innovative design, making it both functional and expressive.
Dimensions & Packaging: Hight 500mm, Width 400mm, Depth 300mm
Tags: Furniture, Reclaimed, wood, plywood, optical illusion, stability, art
Production Technology: This furniture piece blends traditional and modern woodworking. Dovetail joints create a sturdy, classic drawer, while marriage joints ensure precise wood connections. Biscuit joinery strengthens the carcass, and teak edge lipping enhances plywood durability and elegance. Hand-routed grooves hold teak slats, creating a striking optical illusion and floating effect.
Design Challenge: The creative challenge was to transform the proportions given by the guidelines into something aesthetically acceptable or pleasing to my criteria by the incorporation of optical illusions in the design to distract the eye from the given proportions.
Research: Crafting solid wood furniture in coastal Cornwall remains a challenge due to high humidity over 80 in uninsulated 1700s1800s stone cottages and sea breezes, causing wood to swell warp and loosen joints affecting function look and durability. Combining traditional joinery with stable birch plywood and reclaimed teak which resists moisture and salty air ensures furniture stays structurally sound in Cornish coastal climate The piece has been tested in various environments to prove its stability
Inspiration: This furniture design project came from my studies. I had to work with set proportions, one drawer and one door. I did not find the guidelines nor proportions appealing, therfore I experimented with optical illusions to make the drawer and door blend, and visually giving the piece a lighter floating perception. I drew inspiration from Carlos Cruz Diez, the clean lines of Japanese design and from the conviction that any object can blend with art and functionality.
Project Duration: The project started in February 2024 and ended in July 2024 in the Cornwall College Camborne, Cornwall, UK.
The piece remained in exhibition in the College gallery for a another year when they offered to but it from me. Sadly I had to decline the offer at the time, but might consider donating it to them instead at some point in the future.
Operation Flow: The operation and interaction of this furniture piece are intentionally subtle, designed to conceal any obvious function while integrating decorative elements as operational handles, The vertical teak slats a whilst a aesthetic feature doubles as handles for both the door and the traditional drawer creating a seamless flow. Opening the door reveals the interior while pulling the drawer engages the same slatted design blending utility with art. This interplay ensures the units purpose remains discreet inviting users to explore its kinetic charm and optical illusions through tactile engagement enhancing both form and function.
Team Members: Luisa Gonzalez Mijares
Image Credits: All images
Photographer : Remi Cribb