Steve Hill’s Award Winning Table

A Floral Disruption Blooms into Award-Winning Design

What began as a simple dinner unexpectedly blossomed into an innovative piece of furniture design. When a bouquet of flowers interrupted the flow of conversation at the table, Steven Hill—3D Lab director—found inspiration in the disruption.

That moment sparked the idea for a uniquely adaptive dining table, one that responds to its environment and encourages more fluid interaction. The design caught the attention of judges at Hawaiʻi’s premier woodworking event, earning Hill the prestigious 2024 Lāʻau Pono Award at Hawaiʻi’s Woodshow.

Presented annually, the Lāʻau Pono Award honors excellence in the use of responsibly sourced and sustainable Hawaiian wood. Hill’s creation stood out not only for its aesthetic and craftsmanship, but also for its thoughtful, problem-solving approach rooted in everyday experience.

His win reflects a growing trend in architecture and design—where form, function, and sustainability intersect in elegant and unexpected ways.