Book Setulo by Cass Saldanha is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award in Moralo wa Fenitjhara Competition Category.

BoronseFenitjhara· 2026

Book Setulo

by Cass Saldanha

Client: SAL+Co

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

6,713

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #180226

View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About Book Setulo

Book ke setulo se ka boelang sa tshwara le ho bontsha buka e butsweng. Moralo ona ke thuto ya bonono ya jiometri le tekatekano, mme sekhutlo se seng le se seng se baletswe ka hloko. Book e entswe ka oak e tshweu e tiileng le walnut ya Europa. Lesela le pota-potileng la oak le tsepamisitse foreime moo maoto a mararo a sekameng a kopanang teng. Melamu e mene ya boronse e fokotsa kgatello dikarolong tsa bohlokwa tsa kopano mme e eketsa botsitso. Sebaka se seng le se seng se phethetswe ka matsoho ka oli tsa tlhaho, tse fanang ka sebopeho se sa benyeng le ho boloka maikutlo a lehong. Bophahamo ba setulo ke dimilimithara tse 450.

The Recognition

About the Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award

Book Setulo ke mohapi oa Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award, kananelo e hlomphehang haholo e fuoang meralo e ikhethang e tsejoang ka boqapi, bohlale ba ho qapa le bohlale. Bahapi ba Boronse ke lintho tse nang le bokhoni ka ho felletseng le boqapi bo hlollang tse tiisang boiphihlelo bo bongata, mohopolo le bokhoni ba ho iphumana ba baqapi ba tsona. Book Setulo e lebelletsoe ho ba ntho e hlomphuoang haholo, e ratoang le e ratehang, e nang le boprofeshenale bo bonahalang le mehopolo e mecha. Moralo ona o hapileng Moputso oa Boronse oa A' Design Award o kenyelletsa mekhoa e metle ka ho fetesisa bonong, mahlaleng, moralong le theknolojing mme o hlahella ka ho tsepamisa maikutlo lintlheng tse nyenyane. Book Setulo e kutloisisa litlhoko hantle, e ama litakatso, e hapa maikutlo mme e tsosa takatso ea ho tseba.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

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

Unique Properties: The Bookchair is more than a stool or a chair. It is a sculptural study in geometry and symmetry. Every angle is meticulously calculated to bridge the gap between furniture and art. While its 18-inch height offers utility, its true purpose is to cradle an open book, an invitation to slow down and reflect. More than a functional object, it is a quiet gesture of intentionality, designed for those who value both form and the written word.
Dimensions & Packaging: Materials:
European Walnut, White Oak, Brass solid rod.

Dimensions:

Width: 575 mm
Depth: 300 mm
Height: 735 mm
Seat Height: 450 mm
Tags: Stool, Chair, Brazilian, Wood, Symmetry, Sculpture
Production Technology: Crafted from solid white oak and European walnut, the Bookchair balances warmth with structural depth. A central oak disc anchors the piece, distributing force where three angled legs converge. For engineered stability, four 1/3" brass rods act as discreet tension relievers at key junctions. Each surface is hand-finished with natural oils, creating a matte, luminous texture that preserves the wood's tactile essence. It is a marriage of meticulous joinery and organic materiality.
Inspiration: Guided by geometry and architectural symmetry, the Bookchair is a study in visual clarity. Inspired by Lina Bo Bardi, whose furniture blended modernist rigor with Brazilian vernacular and handcraft. It blends modernist rigor with Brazilian cultural honesty. This piece honors Brazilian modernism through a balance of function and sculptural form. Whether supporting an open book or standing alone, it exists at the intersection of utility and art. An object to be used, and one to be contemplated.
Project Duration: Conceived in Miami in May 2023, this project was prototyped over two months and completed in July 2023. It is an exclusive one-of-one piece; all remaining prototypes were destroyed in July 2023.
Operation Flow: The Bookchair can be used as a normal stool seating functionality, but also can serve as a book display.
Patents: Copyrights belong to Cass Saldanha, 2024.
Team Members: Cass Saldanha