The First One Itafile Yasebusuku by Luisa Gonzalez Mijares is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Ibhaso Lentsimbi le-A' Design Award in Uyilo lweFanitshala Competition Category.
IntsimbiIfanitshala· 2026
The First One Itafile Yasebusuku
Client: Luisa Gonzalez Mjares
Ibhaso Lentsimbi le-A' Design Award Winner in Ifanitshala Category
Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #176307The Design
About The First One Itafile Yasebusuku
Eli khabethe lidibanisa umsebenzi womthi wendabuko kunye nesimbo sanamhlanje, lisebenzisa i-teak esindisiweyo kunye ne-birch plywood. Indlela yokudibanisa ehlonitshwayo kwakunye nokugqibezela okwenziwe ngezandla zibonisa ubugcisa, ngelixa iipateni ezineslats kunye nemibala eyahlukeneyo zinika isimbo sanamhlanje. Iislats ezineem/ pateni zivelisa imiboniso yokubukela kunye nezithunzi eziguqukayo njengoko ucango lushenxa, zongeza amandla adlalayo kunye nobugcisa. Le ngxube ihlonipha iindlela zakudala ngelixa ifaka izixhobo zanamhlanje, iqinisekisa ukusebenza kunye nokuzichaza.
The Recognition
About the Ibhaso Lentsimbi le-A' Design Award
The First One Itafile Yasebusuku ngumphumeleli weIbhaso Lentsimbi le-A' Design Award, ukuqatshelwa okuhlonitshwayo okunikwa imiyilo elungileyo eyanelisa iimfuno zobungcali neemveliso ezilindelekileyo kwimveliso ezicwangciswe kakuhle. Abaphumeleleyo beNtsimbi babonisa ubuchule obukhulu, ubuchule obuphezulu, ukuqonda kwengcali namandla okuyila abayili babo. The First One Itafile Yasebusuku iyathenjwa ukuba ibe yimveliso exatyiswa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo esebenzayo neyinto entsha. Lo myilo uphumeleleyo weIbhaso Lentsimbi le-A' Design Award udibanisa iindlela ezilungileyo kakhulu zemboleko kwaye unezimpawu zobuchwephesha ezifanelekileyo ezidityaniswe nolwazi netalente. The First One Itafile Yasebusuku iyahlonelwa ngenxa yenkcukacha yayo kwaye yacwangciselwa ukunika uphuculo lomgangatho wobomi olunceda ukwenza ihlabathi libe yindawo engcono.
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
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