Interview about Tachi Sideboard, winner of the A' Furniture Design Award 2025
Tachi is a contemporary sideboard inspired by the deep cuts of Japanese swords, embodying energy and modernism through intersecting lines. Its sculptural surface enhances visual depth with light and shadow, while brass-coated metal legs support the geometric form. Crafted from lacquered wood with Cnc cut precision, it features a custom sliding door mechanism that ensures seamless alignment. To maintain stability, an internal support system counterbalances structural forces, blending functionality with bold aesthetics.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe sliding door system of the Tachi Sideboard required a highly engineered internal track and support frame to enable a completely flush, silent glide. Unlike typical sliding doors, ours had to maintain the integrity of the geometric facade. We developed a recessed rail system integrated directly into the carcass, reinforced with hidden aluminum channels for durability. This concealed infrastructure supports the door weight evenly, preventing torsion while preserving the clean, sculptural silhouette. It was essential to achieve effortless movement without disrupting the visual harmony of the piece.
The name "Tachi" itself is drawn from a traditional Japanese long sword, known for its precision and ceremonial significance. I was captivated by the idea of transforming a martial object into a meditative surface. The intersecting cuts mimic the cutting traces of traditional tachi swords, while their rhythm suggests controlled movement and latent energy. By translating this symbolism into a functional sideboard, I aimed to explore how ancient strength and discipline can inform contemporary design with both beauty and restraint.
To preserve the sharp geometry without compromising structural stability, we conducted extensive trials using different CNC tooling speeds and bit types. Each panel was cut from MDF to prevent chipping and maintain edge clarity. We then applied multiple layers of primer and sanding before final lacquering, allowing the geometry to remain crisp. Functional durability was ensured through internal ribbing behind the front panel, preventing warping while maintaining a minimal profile. Our production team in Ankara played a vital role in achieving consistency across every unit.
The brass-coated legs contrast with the sideboard's mass, elevating the piece both literally and visually. The inclined metal legs also follow the cutting lines, completing the integrity of the overall form. The brass coating was applied electrostatically to ensure that the warm tone is preserved over time. The result is a slender, elegant base that provides full support, reflecting the balance of delicacy and strength inherent in samurai tradition.
While the exterior of the Tachi Sideboard communicates bold artistry, the interior had to serve the daily needs of the user with clarity and efficiency. We treated the body of the cabinet as a double envelope: the inner structure follows a modular logic, offering generous and customizable storage options, while the outer layer, sculpted like armor, delivers the expressive impact. The clean interior layout features soft-close systems and adjustable shelving to adapt to varied usage scenarios. This contrast between calm utility inside and sculptural drama outside reflects the dual nature of the samurai spirit, restraint paired with power.
The entire development of Tachi was about walking a fine line between reverence and reinterpretation. We immersed ourselves in the formal language of Japanese swordsmithing, precision, balance, and ritual, and translated that ethos into geometry and material. At the same time, we employed cutting-edge production techniques and contemporary finishes to root the piece in the present. The result is not a reproduction of tradition, but a respectful evolution of it, imbued with cultural memory and modern intent.
The surface was conceived as a dynamic topography, designed to interact constantly with light and movement. We experimented with the geometry in a digital environment first, running simulations with directional lighting to study how shadows would behave at different times of day. The lines aren’t random; their position and depth are choreographed to echo the tension and release found in sword strokes. The result is a facade that invites exploration and rewards close observation.
The collaboration was iterative and deeply integrated. After the initial concept sketches, we worked closely with our production team in Ankara to test the feasibility of the facade geometry. They provided valuable feedback on material behavior, lacquering challenges, and cutting precision. In return, we adjusted some angles and layering to improve manufacturability without sacrificing design intent. This mutual respect between design and making elevated the project, each decision was informed by both aesthetic goals and technical knowledge.
Tachi speaks to a growing desire for meaning-driven design in the luxury sector. I believe the future lies in pieces that not only function but narrate, objects that hold cultural depth while serving contemporary needs. Tachi demonstrates how ancient symbolism can inform new typologies without becoming nostalgic or decorative.
Achieving the perfect lacquer finish on Tachi's faceted surface was a true test of craftsmanship. Each CNC-milled panel underwent a labour-intensive, multi-stage finishing process. First, multiple coats of high-build primer were applied, each followed by meticulous hand-sanding to preserve the edge definition of the cuts. Then, we applied layers of tinted lacquer using a fine spray, ensuring even coverage without any pooling in the valleys of the relief. The greatest challenge was to maintain consistency across the planes and ensure that the light reflected evenly despite the panel’s sculptural complexity. The end result is a deep, luminous surface that transforms the geometry into an experience of light, tactility and depth.
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