Tura Table

Mai Wahdan

Interview about Tura Table, winner of the A' Furniture Design Award 2025

About the Project

The Tura Table draws inspiration from the pyramids, built from Tura stone, a symbol of resilience and history. This influence shaped its name and design, merging ancient and modern aesthetics. It features three stone-like bases, crafted from fiberglass to replicate stone's texture while reducing weight. A seamless glass surface, secured with silicone bonding, contrasts with the rugged texture below. The stones provide stability, while the glass adds lightness and functionality. This fusion of history and contemporary craftsmanship makes the Tura Table a timeless statement piece.

Design Details
  • Designer:
    Mai Wahdan
  • Design Name:
    Tura Table
  • Designed For:
    Luxentti
  • Award Category:
    A' Furniture Design Award
  • Award Year:
    2025
  • Last Updated:
    June 30, 2025
Learn More About This Design

View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.

View Design Details
Your innovative approach to replicating the grandeur of ancient Egyptian pyramids in the Tura Table is fascinating - could you elaborate on how historical architecture influenced your material choices and structural decisions?

The inspiration for the Tura Table began with a deep admiration for ancient Egyptian architecture—specifically the enduring symbolism and precision of the pyramids. I was particularly drawn to the Tura limestone, once used to clad the Great Pyramid, for its refined texture and cultural significance. I sought to honor this material’s legacy through a modern lens, focusing on expressive forms and structural clarity. The pyramid’s stable triangular base became a guiding principle. The three sculptural bases of the table echo this geometry, celebrating balance, permanence, and simplicity in form.

The Tura Table's seamless fusion of fiberglass bases with glass surfaces creates a striking visual dialogue between weight and weightlessness - what inspired this intentional contrast in your design process?

This interplay between visual weight and transparency was a conscious attempt to create a table that feels grounded yet elevated. The sculptural bases, with their stone-like appearance, suggest mass and history. In contrast, the crystal-clear glass top hovers above them, introducing lightness and air. This juxtaposition reflects how we often experience culture and time—anchored by heritage but always looking forward. I was fascinated by how opposites could coexist in one form: solid yet floating, ancient yet modern. It’s a silent conversation between permanence and impermanence, designed to evoke emotion and curiosity within any space.

As sustainability becomes increasingly crucial in furniture design, how does the Tura Table's use of fiberglass to simulate stone textures while reducing material consumption reflect your commitment to environmental consciousness?

Sustainability was at the heart of this project from the beginning. I wanted to replicate the appearance and texture of Tura limestone without the environmental impact of quarrying or transporting heavy stone. Fiberglass allowed for that expression while significantly reducing weight and material consumption. It also minimized the carbon footprint associated with production and logistics. Furthermore, the durable nature of fiberglass ensures longevity, making the Tura Table a lasting piece rather than a disposable item. This aligns with my philosophy of conscious design—creating meaningful, lasting objects that honor the past while being responsible toward the future.

The silicone bonding technique used in the Tura Table creates an almost invisible connection between the glass top and fiberglass bases - could you share the technical challenges you encountered when perfecting this seamless integration?

One of the main challenges was to find a bonding solution that would be both structurally sound and visually discreet. We tested several adhesives, but most either left visible marks or interfered with the clarity of the glass. Eventually, we selected a transparent, UV-resistant silicone with high bonding strength and flexibility. The real difficulty was in the assembly: aligning three independent sculptural bases so that they connected perfectly with the glass without introducing stress or imbalance. We developed a customized jig system during prototyping that allowed for millimeter-precise positioning. This ensured both the seamless visual integration and the long-term structural reliability of the table.

Your selection of precisely measured dimensions (850mm x 850mm x 450mm) for the Tura Table suggests careful consideration of proportion - how did these specific measurements emerge from your study of ancient Egyptian architectural principles?

Ancient Egyptian design principles were deeply rooted in harmony and proportion, often tied to human scale and cosmic order. I wanted the Tura Table to echo that intentionality. The 850mm square footprint provides a visual stability and allows the bases to be spaced in a balanced triangular formation. The 450mm height was chosen for comfort, aligning with contemporary furniture ergonomics while maintaining a low, grounded presence—similar to ancient stone plinths. These measurements also allow the table to function flexibly in various interiors, from residential to gallery-like spaces. They were not arbitrary, but carefully refined through iterative models and proportional studies that tied back to both ancient logic and modern use.

The Tura Table's achievement of the Golden A' Design Award speaks to its innovative approach - could you explain how your exploration of materials and forms pushes boundaries in contemporary furniture design?

Winning the Golden A’ Design Award confirmed for me that exploring cultural narratives through new material applications has a place in contemporary design. With the Tura Table, I intentionally stepped away from conventional materials and instead focused on material storytelling. By shaping fiberglass into monolithic forms and using bonding techniques that blur visual seams, I was able to create a piece that challenges expectations—both in texture and assembly. The goal was not just aesthetic but experiential: to make a table that speaks to memory, emotion, and form. I believe this layered approach—where every detail serves both function and story—is how we expand the future of design.

Looking at the Tura Table's biomorphic elements inspired by natural stone formations, how does this design reflect your broader philosophy about connecting modern living spaces with organic forms?

Nature has always played a pivotal role in how I interpret form. The Tura Table’s bases are not rigid geometric prisms; they’re subtly organic, echoing the way stone erodes over time. This wasn’t accidental. I wanted the table to feel sculpted by nature as much as by human hand. My design philosophy is about finding softness in structure—integrating organic elements into modern living spaces to create emotional warmth. In a time when technology dominates our environments, tactile, grounded forms offer balance. The Tura Table is part of my broader vision to reconnect design with nature—not just visually, but emotionally and spatially.

The Tura Table demonstrates remarkable stability through its three-point base system - could you elaborate on the engineering considerations that went into achieving this balance while maintaining visual lightness?

The three-point system was chosen for its inherent stability—three points always define a plane, regardless of surface irregularity. This was critical to ensure the table’s balance. However, creating that engineering reliability while maintaining a floating, sculptural quality required detailed analysis. Each base had to be angled precisely to share the load and prevent tipping, especially under uneven pressure. We conducted both digital simulations and physical stress tests to validate the geometry. The result is a structure that feels light and almost effortless, but is, in fact, the outcome of rigorous engineering and careful calibration.

As the founder of Luxentti Design House, how does the Tura Table embody your studio's mission of bridging cultural identity with contemporary design sensibilities?

Luxentti is rooted in the belief that design should reflect both where we come from and where we’re going. The Tura Table embodies that mission by transforming a culturally significant material—Tura limestone—into a new form that suits modern life. It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about embedding identity, memory, and place into design. At Luxentti, we constantly seek to merge cultural storytelling with refined craftsmanship and innovative processes. This table is a statement of that blend. It proves that cultural design can be subtle, sophisticated, and globally resonant—all while staying deeply personal.

Given the success of the Tura Table in merging historical references with modern functionality, how do you envision this design influencing future furniture pieces in your collection?

The Tura Table has become a design benchmark for how I approach future work. It reaffirmed my belief in the power of narrative design—where each piece carries meaning beyond function. Moving forward, I intend to expand this language into a full collection that explores regional materials and forms with the same sculptural sensibility. I’m currently researching other historic textures and cultural symbols that can be reinterpreted through modern techniques. The success of Tura also encourages me to invest more in material experimentation—finding new ways to bring lightness, tactility, and identity into every piece. It’s the beginning of a story that’s still unfolding.

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