The First One 床頭櫃 by Luisa Gonzalez Mijares

The First One 床頭櫃 by Luisa Gonzalez Mijares is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 A' Design Award 鐵獎 in 傢俱設計 Competition Category.

鐵傢俱· 2026

The First One 床頭櫃

by Luisa Gonzalez Mijares

Client: Luisa Gonzalez Mjares

A' Design Award 鐵獎 Winner in 傢俱 Category

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Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #176307

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About The First One 床頭櫃

呢個櫃將傳統木工技藝同現代風格融合，採用回收柚木同樺木膠合板。歷久彌新嘅榫接工藝同手工打磨飾面展現精湛工藝，而板條圖案同多變色調則增添現代氣息。當櫃門移動時，富有質感嘅板條會產生視覺效果同動態光影，注入趣味活力同藝術感。呢種融合既向經典工藝致敬，又引入現代物料，確保兼具實用性同表現力。

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award 鐵獎

The First One 床頭櫃是 A' Design Award 鐵獎得主，這是授予滿足人們對設計精良的創作所期待的專業與工業要求的優良設計的聲望認可。鐵獎得主展現出其創作者的高超技藝、高度專業化、專家級的理解力和創造能力。預計The First One 床頭櫃將成為一件備受推崇、令人欽佩且被珍愛的創作，既實用又創新。這件贏得 A' Design Award 鐵獎的設計整合了行業最佳實踐，並擁有與專業知識和才華相結合的稱職技術特性。The First One 床頭櫃因其嚴謹而受到尊重，旨在提供有助於讓世界變得更美好的生活品質改善。

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