Plank Bench by Vo Tran Thanh Quang EXPLORE THE WINNING DESIGNS FROM THE 20TH HOA MAI FURNITURE DESIGN COMPETITION, ORGANIZED BY CORPORATIONS THE HANDICRAFT AND WOOD INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF HO CHI MINH CITY (HAWA) AND THE AMERICAN HARDWOOD EXPORT COUNCIL (AHEC)
TEXT: CHIWIN LAOKETKIT
PHOTO COURTESY OF AMERICAN HARDWOOD EXPORT COUNCIL (AHEC)
(For Thai, press here)
The Hoa Mai Furniture Design Competition 2024 has been held for 20 consecutive years through the corporations of the Handicraft and Wood Industry Association of Ho Chi Minh City (HAWA) and the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC). This project aims to give young designers in Vietnam the opportunity to experience the premium quality of American red oak. This year, over 320 initial entries were shortlisted by the judging panel. Three winners and honorable prizes were announced.
Plank Bench by Vo Tran Thanh Quang
Plank Bench by Vo Tran Thanh Quang
First Prize: Plank Bench by Vo Tran Thanh Quang
Plank Bench was created with an efficient and streamlined production process, focusing on functionality and elegant beauty. Quang appreciates American red oak’s natural hue and durability, so his design spotlights its gentleness and gracefulness without much decoration.
Flippo by Nguyen Anh Tuan
Flippo by Nguyen Anh Tuan
Second Prize: Flippo by Nguyen Anh Tuan
‘Flippo’ was created from a single American red oak plywood panel using the manufacturing process that Anh Tuan found during work. This process not only minimized waste but was pleasingly simple, given the wood’s easy workability.
Son by Vu Thanh Thao
Third Prize: Son by Vu Thanh Thao
‘Son’ was a cabinet inspired by the Huc Bridge at Saigon. Thanh Thao saw her work as a symbol of the cultural beauty of her home city. The legs of the cabinet mimic the sturdy bridge piers, and the red stain is evocative of the bridge itself. The metal details on each door of the cabinet are also evocative of the bridge itself.
Nego by Nguyen Hoang Oanh
Honorable Prize: Nego by Nguyen Hoang Oanh
Inspired by colorful Lego, the Nego Cabinet by Hoang Oanh takes advantage of American red oak’s ability to accept stain and color. The design balances simplicity with vibrant color blocking and even grain.
Cai Then by Nguyen Van Dang & Hoang Thi Anh Thu
Cai Then by Nguyen Van Dang & Hoang Thi Anh Thu
Honorable Prize: Cai Then by Nguyen Van Dang & Hoang Thi Anh Thu
The ‘Cai Then’ table was designed by a duo from Hanoi Architectural University. Their inspiration stemmed from Chinese chess. Nguyen Van Dang and Hoang Thi Anh Thu want this work to be a medium connecting people through direct interaction between generations. They use the word ‘then cai,’ which means connecting two parts of a door together in Vietnamese.
C-Smart-1.0 by Tran Huu Khoa
Honorable Prize: C-Smart-1.0 by Tran Huu Khoa
C-Smart-1.0 is a table that can be disassembled. The designer realized that people dispose of furniture that is only slightly damaged, so he considered the role of design in enabling the repair and reuse of furniture. This also added a variety of colors to the design.
Honorable Prize: Nhánh by Luu Nhu Ngoc
‘Nhánh’ was inspired by Saigo’s electricity poles. This simple design can be used for different purposes and is not limited to a function. It also requires minimal production time
John Chan, the Regional Director of AHEC Southeast Asia & Greater China, said that The Hoa Mai Furniture Design Competition encouraged a focus on sustainability. Although growth outstrips harvest in the US forest each year, we, as designers and manufacturers, always have to pay attention to this topic. It is wonderful that so many this year have thoroughly considered the expansive meaning of sustainable design, which is a great occasion to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Hoa Mai furniture design competition.