The Cuban IKhabhathi yeBar by Uslu Design Studio is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Ibhaso Legolide le-A' Design Award in Uyilo lweFanitshala Competition Category.
IgolideIfanitshala· 2026
The Cuban IKhabhathi yeBar
Client: Uslu Design Studio
Ibhaso Legolide le-A' Design Award Winner in Ifanitshala Category
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About The Cuban IKhabhathi yeBar
ICuban yikhabhathi yebar eyilelwe ukugcina izinto kunye nokusetyenziswa kwintlalo yoluntu. Ihumidor egqunywe ngomthi womsedare idityaniswe kwisakhiwo sekhabhathi, ibonelela ngendawo elawulwayo yeesigars, ngelixa ingaphakathi ligcina iwhiskey. Iingcango ezigobileyo zenziwe ngeplywood eguqukayo enomgqibelo welakha ekhazimlayo kakhulu, kwaye imarble ifakwe kumphezulu ongasentla. Umphezulu ongasentla ungasetyenziswa kwakhona njengedeki yeeturntables kunye nezixhobo zomculo. Iindlela zeekhebhile ezingaphakathi kunye nezitshixo zombane zivumela izixhobo ezininzi ukuba zisebenze ngonxibelelwano olunye. Inkqubo yedijithali ilawula ukufuma kunye nokukhanya.
The Recognition
About the Ibhaso Legolide le-A' Design Award
The Cuban IKhabhathi yeBar ngumphumeleli weIbhaso Legolide le-A' Design Award, ukuqatshelwa okuhlonitshwayo kakhulu okunikwa imiyilo yeklasi yokuqala, ephawulekayo nentle. Abaphumeleleyo beGolide ziimveliso ezintsha kakhulu, ezinombono ongaphaya nezikhazimlayo ezibonisa ubuchule, ubulumko nobuchule babayili bazo. The Cuban IKhabhathi yeBar iyathenjwa ukuba ibe yimveliso edunyiswe kakhulu, ebeka umkhwa nekumgangatho wesikhumbuzo enikela ixabiso elingazange libonwe. Lo myilo uphumeleleyo weIbhaso Legolide le-A' Design Award yiprojekthi emangalisayo nehlonelwayo eluncedo kakhulu kwaye inyusa imida yobugcisa, inzululwazi, uyilo kunye nobuchwephesha. The Cuban IKhabhathi yeBar idala iimvakalelo ezinzulu zonqweno, ivusa umdla, ikhuthaza ukuyila kwaye iyasikhwebela.
Behind the Design
Press Kit
Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.
- Unique Properties
- The Cuban is a bar cabinet defined by its dual role as both a storage piece and a social focal point. It integrates a humidor, while its upper surface serves as a DJ deck, accommodating turntables and music equipment. Designed for interaction, it organizes objects and activities around itself, becoming a central element within the space. High gloss lacquer, stainless steel and marble create a refined and distinctive presence.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Bar cabinet with integrated humidor and multi functional top surface. Interior lined with Alpi engineered wood veneer, humidor fully clad in cedar wood. Elazığ Vişne marble used on top surface and high contact areas. Integrated digital control system for humidity and lighting. Internal cable management and power outlets allow operation of multiple devices through a single connection. Dimensions approx.: 900 W x 550 D x 1000 H mm.
- Tags
- Bar Cabinet with Humidor, Bar Cabinet, Liqour Cabinet, Luxury Furniture, Statement Furniture, Collectible Furniture, Disco House, Uslu's Disco House, Uslu Design Studio, Uslu Architects
- Production Technology
- The Cuban is produced using flexible plywood to form curved cabinet doors. A layered finishing process is applied, including a fabric based preparation to prevent cracking before high gloss lacquering. Interior surfaces are finished with Alpi engineered wood veneer. The humidor system, developed with Brone, is integrated into the cabinet structure, including cedar lining and humidity control components. Electrical systems and cable channels are custom integrated during assembly.
- Design Challenge
- The main challenge was twofold. Conceptually, it involved translating abstract ideas such as rhythm, atmosphere and character into a coherent seating form, balancing expressive geometry with ergonomic comfort and structural integrity. Interpreting and reconstructing a cultural atmosphere that was not directly experienced, as a designer from a different generation, required an additional layer of research, imagination and reinterpretation.
From a production perspective, the project faced significant constraints due to limited initial production volume, making it difficult to engage manufacturers. As an independently developed project for SaloneSatellite and Alcova, it required self managed resources and fabrication. The complex curved geometries necessitated mold based solutions, increasing initial costs. Additionally, producing in Turkey under high taxation and import constraints led to elevated material costs, requiring direct sourcing of certain materials from Europe. - Research
- This project is based on a conceptual and experiential design research exploring the relationship between music, space and human behavior. Developed as part of the Disco House collection, it proposes a scenario for living where each object embodies a distinct character. The research builds on two core ideas: the invisible relationship between music and architecture, translated into spatial form, and the liberated, glamorous nightlife culture of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Through observational analysis and prototyping, the design investigates how atmosphere can be transformed into form, ergonomics and material expression.
- Inspiration
- The inspiration for The Cuban comes from the social dynamics of nightlife, where certain figures gradually take control of the atmosphere. It reflects a character that begins discreetly, creating curiosity, then reveals itself through opening elements displaying whiskey and cigars. Its upper surface is conceived as a DJ deck from the back, while acting as a display and bar from the front, combining visual presence with function.
- Project Duration
- The project started in Istanbul in August 2025 and was completed in March 2026. It is presented as part of the Disco House collection during Milan Design Week 2026, with its official debut at Alcova Milano 2026 and SaloneSatellite 2026.
- Operation Flow
- The Cuban is designed to bring people together around it. Experienced from multiple sides, it functions as a bar and display from the front, revealing its contents as the doors open. From the back, its top surface can be used as a DJ deck for music playing. It offers a controlled storage environment for whiskey and cigars, with digital control of lighting and humidity, while also elevating their presentation. It becomes both the source of music and a central point of interaction within the space.
- Patents
- Copyright belongs to Uslu Design Studio, 2026.
- Team Members
- Alp Usluduran
- Image Credits
- Image #1: Photographer Yesim Ozugeldi, The Cuban, 2026
Image #2: Photographer Yesim Ozugeldi, The Cuban, 2026
Image #3: Photographer Yesim Ozugeldi, The Cuban, 2026
Image #4: Photographer Yesim Ozugeldi, The Cuban, 2026
Image #5: Photographer Yesim Ozugeldi, Fashion Styling Merve Kusmenoglu,The Cuban, 2026
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