KOKUYO and VUILD's Co-Created Large Bench 'GGO Biomorphic Lobby Furniture' Wins Gold at A’ Design Award 2026

KOKUYO Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City; President: Hidekuni Kuroda) announces that the large bench 'GGO Biomorphic Lobby Furniture,' co-created with VUILD Inc. (Headquarters: Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture; Representative: Hiroki Akiyoshi), has won the Gold Award in the Furniture Design category of the Italy-based international design award 'A’ Design Award & Competition 2026' in May.

This piece was designed and developed for the office lobby on the 2nd floor of Gran Green Osaka Park Tower, where KOKUYO’s new headquarters 'KOKUYO HQ' is located.

Photo: Large Bench 'GGO Biomorphic Lobby Furniture'

1. Award Overview

Award Name: A’ Design Award & Competition 2026 – Furniture Design Category, Gold Award

Winning Work: 'GGO Biomorphic Lobby Furniture'

Recipients: KOKUYO Co., Ltd., VUILD Inc.

Award Announcement URL: https://competition.adesignaward.com/180101

2. About the Winning Product 'GGO Biomorphic Lobby Furniture'

'GGO Biomorphic Lobby Furniture' is a large-scale spatial installation combining a bench and greenery, designed to bring a sense of life and dynamism to the linear and serene office lobby of Gran Green Osaka. This work was realized through collaboration between KOKUYO and VUILD Inc., a company possessing advanced and complex digital design and woodworking craftsmanship.

Photo: ©hayato kurobe

To achieve organic forms that people instinctively find comfortable, the design process began with hand-sculpted clay models. These were then 3D-scanned and parametrically optimized, adopting a 'fusion of analog and digital' approach.

The approximately 16-meter-long structure consists of 6,120 custom-made parts cut from domestically sourced Japanese oak laminated timber. By combining VUILD’s proprietary production design technology for high-precision digital fabrication with hand-finishing by skilled woodworkers, the installation delivers a spatial experience that balances precision with warmth.

Moreover, this piece is not merely furniture, but a spatial device designed to function as a 'place' that encourages natural lingering, interaction, and circulation among people.

Photo: ©hayato kurobe

3. About the 'A’ Design Award & Competition'

The 'A’ Design Award & Competition' is one of the world’s largest international design awards, hosted in Italy. It welcomes entries from designers, companies, and architects worldwide across diverse fields such as architecture, products, furniture, graphics, and services.

Judged on multiple criteria including design quality, innovation, social impact, and functionality, it is widely recognized as a prestigious international award that honors outstanding design.

A’ Design Award & Competition Website: https://competition.adesignaward.com/

[Reference] About 'KOKUYO HQ'

KOKUYO relocated its headquarters to 'Gran Green Osaka' on May 1, 2026—its first headquarters move in 90 years—officially opening as a live office on June 16 (Tuesday).

The spatial design concept is 'Promenade of Discovery,' aiming to create an office where employees and visitors can walk, observe, touch, and reflect, leading to new discoveries. The space features a continuous sequence of vibrant zones, quiet contemplative areas, and nature-integrated sections.

※Company press release URL: https://www.kokuyo.com/news/release/260521cs1/

※The information stated above is current as of the announcement date and is subject to change without prior notice.

※Company names, service names, and product names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

[Inquiries] KOKUYO Customer Service Center

https://www.kokuyo.co.jp/support/