Whorl wins Silver at the A' Furniture Design Award

Adam Bezzina’s sculptural coffee table Whorl earned a Silver A’ Design Award in the Furniture Design category in Como, Italy. The recognition spotlights bent-laminated ash, custom fabrication methods, and a growing market for furniture that blends craftsmanship, durability, and sculptural form. Why it matters: - Whorl draws attention to bent-laminated wood furniture, a technique that remains uncommon across North America. - The award highlights demand for furniture that works as both a functional object and a visual statement. - The recognition also points to continued interest in sustainably sourced materials and pieces designed to last for generations. What happened: - The A’ Design Award named Whorl, a coffee table designed by Adam Bezzina, as a Silver A’ Design Award winner in the Furniture Design category. - The announcement was made in Como, Italy, on June 19, 2026. - Whorl was developed by Adam Bezzina and Acht Studio. - A dedicated award page includes more information about the design: the award page . The details: - Whorl is made from locally sourced ash. - The table combines a finely tapered solid top with bent-laminated legs formed in custom vacuum molds. - The top was machined from a knife-edge profile to a reinforced center. - The legs were shaped from hand-laid veneer strips formed in custom jigs and vacuum bags. - Mortises in the underside receive the laminated legs, creating a seamless structural connection. - The piece is finished with eco-friendly hardwax oil. - The finish enhances the grain, supports longevity, and helps turn rigid ash into ribbon-like curves. - The design was presented as a piece that blurs the line between furniture and art. - The research behind Whorl included scale modeling, veneer experiments, and custom jig development. Between the lines: - The award signals that material experimentation still has room to stand out in furniture design competitions. - Whorl also suggests that buyers of bespoke furniture are looking for work with stronger narrative and sculptural presence. - For designers and architects, the piece offers a reference for combining organic form with structural integrity. - For Acht Studio, the win reinforces a studio identity built around engineering precision and craftsmanship. What’s next: - The Silver A’ Design Award is expected to encourage further exploration of bent-laminated wood furniture. - Acht Studio said the recognition is motivation to keep refining its sculptural, functional approach. - The studio is expected to keep building bespoke pieces for designers, architects, and private clients across North America. The bottom line: - Whorl won by pairing technical fabrication with a highly sculptural form, showing how careful material work can still break through in furniture design.