Interview about Jazz Bookcase, winner of the A' Furniture Design Award 2025
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.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe 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.
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