Iron Furniture Design · 2025
Jazz Bookcase
by Yilmaz Dogan
- A' Design Award 2025 Iron Winner in Furniture Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: QZENS Furniture
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 10,533
- Verification code A98E698211 · Verify this award
About Jazz Bookcase
Jazz Bookcase draws inspiration from 1920s Art Deco and the Jazz Age, merging historic elegance with contemporary design. Its fluid lines and curves, reminiscent of a saxophone's form, combine with integrated led strips that cast warm, soft transitions reminiscent of to jazz club lighting. The piece features a matte black lacquer finish with copper accents that deepen in light, supported by Cnc-cut wood panels and laser-cut metallic details. A balanced shelving system and innovative light diffusion techniques ensure both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Yilmaz Dogan's Jazz Bookcase represents a compelling synthesis of functional furniture design and sculptural expression within contemporary residential furnishing traditions that increasingly privilege experiential qualities alongside utilitarian performance, the work positioning itself within lineages extending from early modernist experiments in rationalized storage systems through postmodern investigations of furniture as cultural signifier to present-day practices that integrate technological capabilities and prioritize the atmospheric dimension of inhabited environments, the compositional achievement of this four-tier shelving unit residing substantially in its successful orchestration of contrasting formal languages, the rectilinear discipline of the black structural framework providing stable architectural grounding while the organically contoured amber panels introduce dynamic visual movement and theatrical luminosity, these curvilinear elements appearing to emerge from or nestle within the rigid geometry like sound waves visualized or musical notation given three-dimensional form, a metaphorical reading supported by the design's evocative title that invites consideration of synesthetic correspondences between visual rhythm and musical phrasing, the chromatic sophistication evident in the restraint of the two-tone palette, near-black surfaces absorbing ambient light to emphasize form through silhouette while saturated golden-orange panels glow with internal radiance from concealed LED sources, creating dramatic contrast that activates the entire composition as alternating registers of opacity and luminosity, solid and void, shadow and light, the technical facility demonstrated through seamless integration of structural, surface, and illumination systems suggests manufacturing precision and material understanding, with matte finishes on load-bearing elements providing visual weight and stability while backlit translucent panels introduce ethereal qualities that dematerialize mass, the work invites interpretation as an investigation into how furniture transcends pure functionality to participate in the construction of domestic atmosphere and the curation of personal collections, each horizontal shelf operating as a display platform that stages objects within an architecturally defined luminous frame, transforming everyday storage into an apparatus for considered presentation that elevates books, sculptures, and decorative elements into components of a larger compositional statement, the design perhaps references traditions of vitrine display, theatrical lighting design, and museum exhibition systems while remaining firmly within residential furniture typology, the formal vocabulary suggesting possible affinities with biomorphic abstraction in sculpture, the flowing apertures of musical instruments, or the organic architecture movements that sought integration between built form and natural morphology, viewers encountering this work might contemplate how contemporary design negotiates tensions between geometric order and organic expression, between functional requirements and aesthetic aspiration, and how furniture operates within lived environments as both practical infrastructure and cultural artifact that communicates values, sensibilities, and identities through material presence and formal articulation.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Jazz Bookcase, inspired by the Art Deco style of the 1920's and the vibrant atmosphere of the Jazz Age, presents a modern, contemporary look with its fluid lines, curves, and contours.
Integrated Led strips evoke the era’s lively ambiance, creating warm, soft color transitions that add depth and allure to both the product and its surroundings. This interplay of light and form transforms the bookcase into more than just a storage unit it becomes an artistic statement within a space. - Dimensions & Packaging
- Width: 130 cm, Height: 224 cm, Depth: 40 cm. Five shelf compartments, copper colored interior surface, and side panels with integrated Led lighting. Its fluid lines and light play create a strong focal point in the space.
- Tags
- Jazz, Art Deco, Jazz Age, Bookcase, Copper, Elegance, Led, Modern, Desıgn, Luxury
- Production Technology
- The Jazz Bookcase features an exterior body with a matte black lacquer finish and a special coating in copper color that deepens with light. cnc cut wood panels support fluid forms, while laser-cut metallic details complete the integrity. Integrated Led lights soften the light on the surface, creating a dimmed atmosphere. The shelving system perfectly balances functionality with aesthetics.
- Design Challenge
- Achieving an organic harmony between light and form became one of the greatest technical challenges of the design. Special light diffusion techniques were developed to ensure flawless light distribution on the copper surface. The contrast between the matte exterior body and the metallic shine of the interior surface was meticulously balanced to create a dynamic and striking design language.
- Project Duration
- The project started in February 2023 in Milan and was completed in May 2024. It was developed and prototyped in Ankara, in collaboration with expert artisans and lighting engineers.
- Operation Flow
- Jazz is designed to interact with both the user and the surrounding space dynamically. The built-in Led lighting provides atmospheric illumination, reflecting the mysterious atmosphere of jazz clubs, enhances the mood of the environment.
The curved structure encourages intuitive organization, allowing books, decorative objects and personal items to be displayed in a visually engaging way. It serves as both a functional and decorative piece based on the user's preferences and lighting settings. - Research
- Research on the synthesis of 1920s Art Deco aesthetics, music, and interior lighting led to the integration of form and light balance in this bookcase. The abstraction of saxophone forms and the lighting of dim jazz clubs, incorporated into the design of the bookcase, became the fundamental starting point of the project.
- Inspiration
- Art Deco, with its geometric shapes, elegant lines, luxurious details, and the Jazz Age, representing energetic jazz music, the rise of entertainment, and the pursuit of freedom by women, define the spirit of the 1920's.
Jazz captures this essence by merging history with contemporary design. Inspired by the saxophone’s curving form, its side panels create a melodic flow. The warm glow of Jazz Age nightclubs is reimagined through the interior illumination, bringing the era’s ambiance to life. - Image Credits
- A. Murat ARIK
Erinç ULUSOY
Giray AYDOS
Colors of Jazz Bookcase
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Grand Interview about Jazz Bookcase
The curvilinear language of the Jazz Bookcase draws inspiration from the sculptural silhouettes of both the saxophone and the jazz bass. These two instruments are not only iconic in sound but also in form. The sweeping curves of the jazz bass body, with its voluminous yet elegant stance, informed the rounded wooden panels and the vertical balance of the piece. Meanwhile, the fluid and coiling form of the saxophone guided the movement of the copper inlays and the rhythm of the surface detailing. I was interested in how these instruments convey emotion through both their presence and their shape. My aim was to translate that sense of flow and resonance into a piece of furniture that feels lyrical, like a visual improvisation rooted in harmony and structure.
Integrating the LED lighting system was one of the more technical aspects of the design. We wanted a soft, ambient glow that would feel atmospheric, like the warm lighting found in 1920s jazz venues. The challenge was to diffuse the light in a way that would not produce harsh reflections on the copper surfaces. We developed a layered light panel system with hidden reflectors and subtle dimming options to spread the light evenly. The result is a warm and almost liquid radiance that enhances the contours of the bookcase and shifts subtly throughout the day, just like the mood of a jazz improvisation.
The material palette was chosen to create both contrast and harmony. The matte black exterior acts like a stage. It grounds the piece and gives it a sense of mystery. In contrast, the copper interior brings warmth, energy, and movement, much like the Jazz Age itself. This juxtaposition mirrors the era’s elegance and vibrancy. The restraint of Art Deco geometry paired with the bold and emotional spirit of jazz music. I wanted viewers to feel a visual rhythm when looking at the piece, much like hearing a syncopated beat against a smooth melody.
With a height of 224 cm, maintaining both balance and usability was crucial. The five shelf compartments were carefully spaced to accommodate various book sizes while preserving the vertical rhythm of the piece. The curved side panels, while sculptural, were designed with structural integrity in mind, subtly tapering to prevent visual heaviness. This ensured the piece remained grounded while still appearing dynamic.
From the beginning, this project was a true collaboration. Working with artisans allowed us to fine-tune the copper finishes, ensuring they had the right patina and warmth. The lighting engineers helped us prototype and refine the LED integration. This interdisciplinary approach made the piece richer. It brought together tactile sensitivity and technical precision. Each step required dialogue between creative vision and practical know-how, and that process ultimately shaped a bookcase that feels more like an installation than just a piece of furniture.
I was inspired to break away from traditional bookcase formats because I believe storage furniture can be just as expressive as any art object. Jazz music taught us to improvise, to bend rules and explore emotion through structure. I applied that same thinking here. Rather than simple straight lines and open shelves, I wanted to create something that felt alive, something that invites interaction and contemplation. It still holds books and objects, of course, but it also tells a story, one of rhythm, movement, and expressive form.
The way the copper accents respond to light was an essential part of the design narrative. They appear to shift in tone depending on the time of day or the angle of view. Sometimes bold, sometimes subtle. This interactive quality made me think of jazz improvisation, where each performance is slightly different. It encouraged me to design a piece that was never static but always engaging. The finishes and forms were selected specifically to enhance this sense of variation and playfulness in daily use.
Receiving recognition through the A’ Design Award has been incredibly meaningful. It confirmed that a design rooted in emotion, narrative, and experimentation can resonate beyond its function. Jazz Bookcase expanded my understanding of how furniture can connect people to history, music, and atmosphere. It encouraged me to keep exploring storytelling through form and material, and to embrace bold gestures. Going forward, I want to continue creating pieces that spark curiosity and offer more than just utility.
The key was to let the spirit of the 1920s guide the form while letting today’s tools shape the execution. We preserved the Art Deco proportions and decorative language but used CNC milling to create precise curvature and integrate the lighting elements flawlessly. The lighting itself is energy-efficient, dimmable, and seamlessly embedded. It represents a contemporary layer over a nostalgic frame. This fusion allowed the piece to celebrate its influences without becoming a replica.
The Jazz Bookcase reflects QZENS Furniture’s core mission of blending art and technology to create emotionally resonant design. We pushed production boundaries with curved forms, layered LED systems, and refined metal finishes. The result is a piece that feels more like an experience than an object. I believe this project opened new doors for us both in terms of how we work and what we dare to attempt. It is a reminder that innovation can be poetic and that form, function, and feeling can live together harmoniously.