Leaf Meza ya Pembeni by Ariane Rosa is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Tuzo ya Shaba ya A' Design Award in Usanifu wa Samani Competition Category.
ShabaSamani· 2026
Leaf Meza ya Pembeni
by Ariane Rosa
Client: AR Architecture and Design
Tuzo ya Shaba ya A' Design Award Winner in Samani Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #182803The Design
About Leaf Meza ya Pembeni
Meza ya Pembeni ya Leaf inachanganya uso wa kuwekea vitu na mwangaza wa mazingira uliojumuishwa. Muundo umepangwa kuzunguka msingi wa mbao wenye umbo la nusu duara ambapo shina jembamba la chuma huinuka kushikilia sehemu ya juu inayofanana na sinia iliyokusudiwa kwa vitu vya kila siku. Juu ya uso huo, kipengele cha chuma chenye umbo la jani hufunika chanzo cha mwanga kinachowashwa kwa mguso ambacho hutoa mng'ao uliotawanyika. Mpangilio huu unarejelea miundo ya mimea ambapo shina hushikilia jani linalochuja mwanga. Kupitia ujumuishaji wa mbao, chuma na mwangaza, muundo huu hufanya kazi kama meza ya pembeni na pia chanzo cha mwanga ndani ya nafasi za ndani.
The Recognition
About the Tuzo ya Shaba ya A' Design Award
Leaf Meza ya Pembeni ni mshindi wa Tuzo ya Shaba ya A' Design Award, utambuzi wenye heshima kubwa unaotolewa kwa miundo bora inayotofautishwa kwa ubunifu, ustadi na busara. Washindi wa Shaba ni kazi za ufundi mwingi na bunifu ya kushangaza zinazothibitisha uzoefu mpana, mawazo na ustadi wa wabunifu wao. Leaf Meza ya Pembeni inatarajiwa kuwa kitu kinachothaminiwa sana, kupendwa na kuenziwa, ambacho ni cha kitaalamu na bunifu kwa kiasi kikubwa. Muundo huu ulioshinda Tuzo ya Shaba ya A' Design Award unajumuisha mbinu bora katika sanaa, sayansi, usanifu na teknolojia, na ni bora kwa umakini wake kwa undani. Leaf Meza ya Pembeni hutosheleza mahitaji kwa uzuri, hugusa hamu, huvutia hisia na kuvutia udadisi.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- Leaf Side Table is a sculptural furniture piece where support surface and light become a single gesture. A solid wood hemispherical base anchors the composition while a slender metallic stem rises to support a tray-like top. Above it, a golden leaf discreetly shelters a touch-activated light source. By combining Brazilian artisanal sensibility with contemporary restraint, the design transforms an everyday side table into a subtle lighting object and a quiet focal presence within interior spaces
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Leaf Side Table. Dimensions 300 mm W x 300 mm D x 600 mm H. Materials solid wood for base and tray top and metal for structural stem and leaf element. Integrated touch activated LED light concealed beneath the metal leaf. Designed as a compact side table combining support surface and ambient lighting. The hemispherical wooden base provides stability while the slender vertical metal stem supports the top and lighting element.
- Tags
- Leaf side table, sculptural side table, illuminated side table, Brazilian design furniture, wood and metal furniture, touch light furniture, contemporary side table, artistic furniture design, ambient lighting furniture
- Production Technology
- Leaf combines traditional woodworking with precise metal fabrication. The hemispherical base and tray-like top are crafted from solid wood, shaped and finished to emphasize the natural grain and tactile quality of the material. A slender metal stem provides structural continuity between the elements. The upper metal leaf is fabricated in thin metal and integrates a discreet touch-activated LED module beneath its surface, allowing soft ambient illumination while preserving the visual lightness of the composition.
- Design Challenge
- The main challenge was achieving a visual balance between sculptural expression and functional clarity. The design required integrating a light source without compromising the purity and lightness of the form. Another difficulty was translating an organic, nature-inspired concept into a structure that could be realistically produced using wood and metal. The process involved refining proportions and structural relationships so the object could appear delicate while remaining stable and technically feasible.
- Research
- Qualitative design research aimed to explore the relationship between furniture, light, and everyday rituals. The objective was to create a small object capable of combining functional support and ambient lighting in a single gesture. The methodology involved form studies, material exploration, and spatial observation of how side tables are used in domestic environments. Concept sketches and iterative modeling were used as research tools. The results revealed the potential of merging surface and light, generating a more intimate and meaningful interaction with everyday furniture.
- Inspiration
- Leaf was inspired by the symbolic presence of nature in Brazilian daily life and by the quiet rituals that take place around small domestic objects. Its composition recalls a botanical structure: a stem rising from the ground and sustaining a leaf that shelters light. This gesture reflects the coexistence of strength and delicacy typical of tropical landscapes, while also evoking cultural moments of gathering, offering, and sharing that often unfold around simple supporting surfaces.
- Project Duration
- The Leaf Side Table project began in 2025 in Santa Catarina, Brazil, where the initial concept and design development were carried out. The project is currently in the design phase, with ongoing refinement of form, materials, and lighting integration as part of the preparation for future prototyping and production.
- Operation Flow
- Leaf Side Table is designed for simple and intuitive interaction. The tray like top provides a surface for small everyday objects such as books glasses or personal items. Above it a metal leaf discreetly shelters a light source that is activated by touch. This gesture turns the object into a soft source of ambient light creating a calm atmosphere. By combining support surface and illumination in one piece the design simplifies use while enriching the experience of the space.
- Image Credits
- Laila Dutra
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