IRONMAN: A Sculpture of Harmony and Contrast

SEBNEM BUHARA's Innovative Bookshelf Design Wins Silver A' Design Award

The IRONMAN bookshelf stands out with its minimal, quality, and unique details. The simple look, balancing modern effects on the material and details, gives the design an above-the-line beauty. With the harmony of its laser-cut legs, shelves, and line details, it brings dynamism to spaces. The bookshelf can also be used to divide open spaces, and its iron rod construction can be transformed into different unique shapes. The height, length, or design of the shelves can be changed according to preference.

The main structure of the IRONMAN bookshelf is made of copper-coated iron rods and iron plates, commonly used in construction sites. The rods are combined to form a rectangular shape, and these iron rods can be coated in any color according to client preference. In the showcased design, the iron rods are coated in copper.

The design process of the IRONMAN bookshelf was a journey of research and innovation. Buhara researched a wide variety of bookshelf, library, and ladder typologies to ensure the design would be truly unique, functional, and practicable. The main design idea was to combine two different but similar fields, Architecture and Construction, by using construction methods and materials to form a design.

Despite the challenges faced during the creation of the first prototype and the heavy weight of the materials used, the IRONMAN bookshelf emerged as a successful design. The clean finishes of the weld parts of the iron rods required sensitive workmanship and cleaning. The design, while heavy, showcases objects on the shelves clearly and uniquely.

The IRONMAN bookshelf, a testament to Buhara's innovative design approach, was awarded Silver in the A' Furniture Design Award in 2017. The award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that illustrate outstanding expertise and innovation. These designs, admired for their strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, showcase a remarkable level of excellence and introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder.