Warm honey-toned laminated wood curves with fluid organic grace to form João Teixeira's Tokyo Multifunctional Bench, a masterwork of contemporary furniture design that commands attention through its s

Tokyo Multifunctional Bench by João Teixeira presents a sculptural study in laminated wood construction where continuous material flow generates both structural integrity and organic formal language,

Tokyo Multifunctional Bench by João Teixeira demonstrates sophisticated understanding of bent plywood lamination technology wherein multiple thin veneer layers are precisely oriented with grain direct

Tokyo Multifunctional Bench by João Teixeira presents a study in laminated pale wood construction where fluid organic curves meet structural stability through visible layered plywood edges that celebr

A sculptural furniture composition integrates warm bentwood laminate with crisp white upholstery, establishing a dynamic interplay between curvilinear and rectilinear geometries where organic wooden f

Gold Furniture Design · 2026

Tokyo Multifunctional Bench

by Joao Teixeira

A' Design Award 2026 Gold Winner in Furniture Design
Awarded April 15, 2026
CLIENT: Oftwise
Estimated Number of Design Views: 36,912
Verification code D17C41D2C7 · Verify this award

Visit Site View at A' Design Award

Get a Badge

About Tokyo Multifunctional Bench

Tokyo is a multifunctional bench designed for home entryways. Tokyo combines seating with a shoe rack, so footwear, bags and daily items can be stored within a small footprint. A curved top tray follows the line of the cushion and holds everyday objects. The bench is made of pressed FSC birch plywood with natural oak veneer, milled by CNC for precision and finished with non-toxic oils. The cushion is upholstered in recycled polyester. Tokyo ships flat packed and can be assembled by one person with ten screws.

João Teixeira's Tokyo Multifunctional Bench emerges from a rich tradition of bent laminated wood furniture that traces its lineage through the pioneering work of mid-twentieth century masters who first explored the sculptural possibilities of this technique. The work demonstrates sophisticated understanding of material behavior, with each curved wooden panel revealing the characteristic striations of laminated construction that simultaneously celebrate process transparency and create visual rhythm. The designer appears to engage deeply with principles of functional sculpture, creating an object that serves practical purposes while maintaining strong aesthetic presence. The integration of multiple functions within a unified formal vocabulary distinguishes this piece, with seating, storage, and surface area consolidated into a coherent whole that eliminates the need for multiple disparate furnishings. Technical accomplishment manifests in the precision of the curved laminations, the seamless transitions between angled and rounded passages, and the careful calibration of proportions that allow the bench to appear simultaneously substantial and weightless. The chromatic restraint exercised throughout the design speaks to contemporary sensibilities favoring material authenticity over applied decoration, allowing the natural warmth of the wood to provide visual richness without ornamental addition. The cream upholstered cushion introduces softness both visual and tactile, mediating between the firmness of the wooden structure and the human body. Thematically, the work engages with questions of domestic ritual, the threshold between public and private realms, and the objects that support daily transitions. The bench invites contemplation of how thoughtfully designed functional objects can elevate quotidian activities into moments of aesthetic appreciation, suggesting that beauty and utility need not exist in opposition but can instead reinforce and amplify one another.

Press Kit

Unique Properties: Tokyo’s most unique feature is the contrast between its visual lightness and functional versatility. The design pushes the boundaries of manufacturing, featuring curves engineered at the absolute radius limit. This precision creates a singular, flowing silhouette that is incredibly difficult for competitors to replicate. This sophisticated approach opens room for signature details such as its distinctive top tray.
Dimensions & Packaging: The assembled design has Width 945 mm x Depth 400 mm x Height 465 mm.
The design ships in a flat pack format to improve logistics and can be assembled by a single person in less than 5 minutes by laying out all plywood components and cushion on the floor to connect them by driving a total of 10 screws.
Tags: Multifunctional, Shoe Rack, Bench, Product Design, Furniture Design, Plywood Furniture
Production Technology: The design is manufactured from pressed FSC Birch Plywood with natural Oak veneer. After pressing, each component is CNC milled for precision. All wooden parts are finished with non-toxic oils. Chosen for its sturdiness, birch plywood ensures a long-lasting design that minimizes its eco-footprint. The cushion is upholstered in 100% recycled polyester, a high-performance and easy-to-clean fabric that ensures the bench remains inviting in high-traffic entryways.
Design Challenge: Beyond aesthetics, the hardest task was making a premium product truly affordable. This required simplifying the construction to keep it sturdy and long-lasting without driving up the price. Logistically, the project bridged manufacturers in Greece and Portugal. Coordinating these stages demanded rigorous precision and seamless remote communication to ensure the plywood and upholstery aligned perfectly. This process proved that cross-border collaboration can yield a refined, cost-effective result.
Project Duration: The project started in November 2023 in Viana do Castelo and finished in February 2025 in Viana do Castelo. It was exhibited in Funchal Biennial of Art and Design in Madeira in March 2025
Operation Flow: Tokyo offers an intuitive user experience through self explanatory functionality. Its thoughtful layout optimizes storage while providing the versatility for users to define their own use case scenarios. Whether organizing footwear, bags, or daily essentials, the design avoids prescriptive use. Instead, it adapts to the individual’s unique lifestyle and spatial needs, ensuring the product evolves with the user. The design nature motivate individuals for new and better habits.
Research: Research involved a behavioral study of urban dwellings with the goal of solving storage challenges in shrinking, high-cost living spaces through multifunctionality. Utilizing observational analysis, the methodology employed user interviews and journey mapping to understand daily routines. The resulting impact maximized utility within small footprints, effectively addressing the economic shift toward compact housing while enhancing social well-being through organized, stress-free environments.
Inspiration: Rooted in human behavior, Tokyo is inspired by the Japanese custom of removing shoes before entering homes, a habit that has become a global standard, especially post pandemic. This piece crosses cultural tradition with modern home needs, reimagining a daily object through an updated lens to suit fast paced lifestyles. Visually influenced by Japanese Torii gates, the design is distinguished by a balanced asymmetry where each component seamlessly flows with aesthetic and functional purpose.
Image Credits: Image #1: Photographer Pedro Machado, Tokyo, 2025
Image #2: Photographer Pedro Machado, Tokyo, 2025
Image #3: Photographer Pedro Machado, Tokyo, 2025
Image #4: Photographer Pedro Machado, Tokyo, 2025
Image #5: Designer João Teixeira, Tokyo, 2025
Video Credits: Designer João Teixeira, Tokyo, 2025