Press Release
A' Design Award in Furniture Design Goes to Cube Sofa Includes Table by Saya Takamine
The international grand jury of the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition recognizes Saya Takamine for furniture design
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COMO, Italy, April 22, 2026 /DesignNewswire/ Cube Sofa Includes Table by Saya Takamine has been granted the A' Design Award in the Furniture Design category, A' Design Award & Competition has announced. The result belongs to the 2025 - 2026 A' Design Award & Competition and was determined through blind peer review by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members, who evaluated anonymized entries against predetermined criteria.
About the A' Design Award
The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to good designs that meet the rigorous professional and industrial standards set by the A' Design Awards. This recognition is reserved for works that demonstrate a solid understanding of design principles and show creativity within their execution. Recipients of the Iron A' Design Award are acknowledged for their practical innovations and contributions to their respective fields, providing solutions that improve quality of life and foster positive change. These designs are a testament to the skill and dedication of their creators, showcasing their ability to address real-world challenges through thoughtful design.
More About Cube Sofa Includes Table
This piece draws inspiration from the contrast between concrete and greenery found in everyday urban environments. Natural organic elements are translated into a geometric design language. The surface evokes rain soaked concrete while fabrics express material roughness and irregularity. Cool grey accents and a uniform desk mat emphasize texture and tonal relationships. Blended faux moss introduces a restrained yet perceptible organic presence. Through careful control of footprint and height the piece achieves visual balance within its environment.
About Saya Takamine
She is studying design in Okinawa. Emphasis on logically analyzing and deeply understanding matters from multiple perspectives. Aming to become a designer who solves problems by leveraging her innate way of thinking and valuing everyday observations.
Award Record
This recognition makes Saya Takamine a winner of 2 A' Design Awards. The awards were granted in the 2025 - 2026 edition of the A' Design Award & Competition.
About the A' Furniture Design Award
The A' Furniture Design Award is an international furniture competition recognizing good furniture designs by best furniture designers worldwide. It is organized within the A' Design Award & Competition and is open to furniture designers, product designers, industrial design studios and furniture brands from all countries. Typical entries include chairs, tables, sofas, beds, cabinets and shelves. The awarded furniture designs are published at https://dezigners.org/design-category/furniture
About A' Design Award & Competition
Organized annually since 2008, A' Design Award & Competition is an international, juried design accolade. The competition is open to entries from all countries. The philanthropic mission of the A' Design Award is to advance society through good design, by recognizing and promoting superior products, projects and services that benefit society, and by creating a global awareness and appreciation for good design practices and principles. Nominations are peer reviewed and evaluated anonymously by an international grand jury panel of established academics, design professionals and press members against predetermined criteria such as functionality, ergonomics, engineering, presentation, innovation, usability, sustainability and technology, with score normalization applied to remove biases. Awards are conferred at Platinum, Gold, Silver, Bronze and Iron levels. Eligible laureates receive the A' Design Prize, which includes the award trophy, the certificate of design excellence, the hardcover yearbook, a lifetime license to use the A' Design Award winner logo, exhibition of awarded works, an invitation to the gala night and award ceremony in Italy, inclusion in the World Design Rankings and Designer Rankings, and public relations and publicity services. Registration, uploading a work and receiving a preliminary score are free of charge, and Professional and Digital Edition laureates are not contractually obliged to pay further fees to claim the A' Design Prize. More information is available at https://competition.adesignaward.com
Press Resources
- Winner Page: https://dezigners.org/179553
- A' Design Award Page: https://competition.adesignaward.com/179553
- Media Showcase: https://www.designnewsroom.com/!179553
- Laureate Profile: https://dezigners.org/d/376132
Media Contact
Giulia Ferrari, Press Office
Designers.Org
Via Leone Leoni 32, 22100 Como, Italy
press@designers.org
+39 031 4491953
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Fact Sheet
The Work
- Project
- Cube Sofa Includes Table
- Function
- Sofa Includes Table
- Category
- Furniture Design
- Discipline
- Industrial Design
- Industry
- Furniture & Home
- Colors
- Dark Slate Gray, Light Slate Gray, Gray, Dark Gray and Silver
- Images
- 5
The Recognition
- Laureate
- Saya Takamine
- Country
- Japan
- Recognition
- A' Design Award
- Edition
- 2025 - 2026
- Design ID
- #179553
Credits
- Image Credits
- 5: Saya Takamine, Hiroto Nakamura
Design Details
- Unique Properties
- Cube is a modular furniture piece that integrates seating and surface functions within a unified, sculptural form. The texture of concrete is expressed through a curated combination of different fabrics which is achieving a solid appearance with tactile softness. Inspired by Karesansui, faux moss representing plants is arranged in a natural and restrained yet noticeable balance. The three blocks have different aspect ratios, translating the accidental beauty found in natural concrete cracks into geometric design. The inverted trapezoidal form provides a wide, comfortable seat while minimizing floor contact, allowing the piece to harmonize with the surrounding space.
- Inspiration
- This project draws inspiration from the contrast between the inorganic, artificial concrete that fills urban environments and the greenery that sprouts powerfully from its crevices. It aims to transform the relationship between artificial outdoor elements and the modest yet vigorous vitality of the plants thriving within them into an indoor object at a scale suitable for everyday living spaces.
- Research
- In the process of translating the concept into a product, existing furniture was researched and evaluated based on real world usability. This informed a balance between visual appeal and functional comfort. From the structural framework to the upholstery, the piece was repeatedly examined and refined from a makers perspective, leading to continuous improvements throughout the production process.
- Challenge
- Determining the taper angle of the base and achieving a realistic visual balance were major challenges. Even a one degree difference in the taper significantly affected the overall impression and proportions, requiring the examination of numerous 3D models. In pursuit of realism, extensive experimentation was conducted to identify the optimal fabric combinations and paint color adjustments to express the texture of concrete.
- Realization and Technology
- The internal structure is primarily made of plywood, achieving a lightweight form while maintaining the appearance of concrete. The two sofa cubes incorporate cushioning materials and soft, tactile fabrics, creating seating surfaces that visually resemble concrete yet remain comfortable and inviting.
- Operation and Interaction
- Of the three cubes, two function as cushioned sofas and one as a wooden table. The table can hold drinks or books, encouraging communication with others, while also allowing a single user to relax comfortably with ample space. While the concept is fully expressed when all three cubes are combined, each cube can also be used independently, allowing flexible arrangements depending on the occasion and environment.
- Project Duration and Location
- The project started in June 2025 and finished September 2025 in Okinawa, Japan
- Specifications
- Depth 600 mm x Width 650 mm x Seat Height 370 mm
- Keywords
- Sofa, Table, Concrete, Greenery, Plants, Moss, Contrast, Artificial, Urban Landscape
