Omigosh! We won second place!

FORM Student Innovation Competition 2nd PlaceWinning Entry

The FORM Student Innovation Competition is a modern take on the original “FORM: Contemporary Architects at Play” challenge, held by Formica Corporation in 2008. Ten world-renowned architects, including Zaha Hadid, Michael Graves, Bernard Tschumi and Massimo Vignelli, constructed new works of art from Formica® Brand products. - Formica Website.

2025 COMPETITION THEME: Designing for Wellbeing

I entered the contest in early 2025 with my fellow Yorkville University student and friend, Stacy-Ann Matthews. The design was a true collaboration. We worked closely to define what we wanted to achieve—finding a balance between work and life at home, something we had both spent years striving for. We explored various concepts for a piece that could help address this need, going back and forth on its form and function. Eventually, Stacy-Ann proposed incorporating a playful nod to the classic 15-Puzzle. From there, we refined how the piece would function, selected finishes, and integrated special features to bring our vision to life.

Introducing…

Noyes Balance

by Tara Hunt + Stacy-Ann Matthews

Inspired by the 15 Puzzle invented by Noyes Chapman in 1880, Noyes Balance is a dynamic, multi-functional furniture piece designed to enhance well-being in home workspaces. Just as the 15 Puzzle requires sliding tiles to reveal hidden spaces, the design features modular, movable panels that conceal and reveal work essentials, promoting a sense of order and tranquillity.

The design aligns with the “Designing for Wellbeing” theme by integrating neuroaesthetic principles—specifically, the idea that an organized, adaptable space can positively impact mental health. Research shows that clutter increases stress and cognitive overload; Noyes Balance addresses this by concealing work-related mess when not in use, creating a visually clean, calming environment that supports work-life balance.

Various States:

Closed

In its closed state, the clutter is completely hidden. Only a few select upper right console shelves are exposed, which can be curated to hold select books, photos, and decorative items. In this mode, the Noyes Balance blends in like another piece of furniture.

Partially Open

The Noyes Balance can be partially opened to reveal the table, the whiteboard, the bottom console shelving, or multiple features at a time. Clutter can still be hidden while features are in use.

Fully Open

When fully open, the user can move around the box inserts, slide open the hidden speaker and wire compartment, pull out the storage seats, swing the whiteboard partially out, slide the lower door open to reveal the storage compartments, and more.

Noyes blends beautifully into a small space

Fully open, with storage seats pulled out

FAQ’s

The unit’s palette combines a soft sage green with light wood tones, creating a calming and contemporary aesthetic. We chose FENIX® 0794 Verde Kitami for the green elements, drawn to its luxurious soft-touch surface, low light reflectivity, and advanced features, including anti-fingerprint technology and micro-scratch thermal healing. To complement this, we selected Formica® laminate in 7412 Puregrain Planked Raw Oak. The Puregrain finish offers a highly tactile, authentic wood texture that adds warmth and depth to the overall design.
For the feature accents, we selected Formica®’s 8238 Blush—a soft coral tone in a matte finish—as a complementary hue to the sage green. This colour was applied to the removable inserts within the piece. The contrasting tone not only adds a sense of playfulness but also visually signals a new function, indicating that these inserts can be removed or reconfigured as needed.
We also incorporated Everform® Solid Surface into the surface of the flip-out work desk. This change in material clearly distinguishes the desk as an interactive, functional component. We chose the 766 Portofino Mineral colourway, which features subtle hints of grey, beige, and blush, elegantly tying the overall palette together. The solid surface finish also ensures the worktop is exceptionally durable and well-suited for daily use.
Finally, the upper left section of the unit flips out to reveal a writable surface. For this whiteboard feature, we selected Formica® 459 Brite White in a Gloss finish, offering a clean, high-contrast writing area that integrates seamlessly into the design.
The dimensions of the piece are as follows:
Closed: 6’ w x 6’ h x 2’-3” d
Fully Open: 6’ w x 6’ h x 4’-7½“ d
While designing the piece, we considered people who work and/or study from home, especially those with smaller spaces. The idea was to jam as much functionality into one small piece as possible without making it complicated or appearing cluttered.
A few priorities came to mind for our design:
1. The ability to “hide the clutter” quickly when not working.
2. Lots of space to store office/school supplies, files, papers, gadgets, and other stuff that adds up when working/studying from home.
3. A compact, attractive design that would fit into almost any small space (even a studio apartment).
4. Flexibility and adaptability - a piece that could last for a long time and take on many roles.
The design aligns with the theme of “Designing for Wellbeing” by integrating neuroaesthetic principles—specifically, the idea that an organized, adaptable space can positively impact mental health. Research shows that clutter increases stress and cognitive overload; Noyes Balance addresses this by concealing work-related mess when not in use, creating a visually clean, calming environment that supports work-life balance.
Beyond a piece of furniture, Noyes Balance is a tool for mindful living, allowing users to seamlessly transition between work and personal time—promoting a healthier, more balanced relationship with the home environment.