COLLAB CAKE SERVER

What is an award? Traditionally, it’s a symbol of achievement—a ribbon, a trophy, or a monetary prize—often destined to sit untouched, gathering dust as a decorative object.

But COLLAB, an organization dedicated to celebrating great design, sought something different—an award that not only honors accomplishment but also serves a real purpose. In response, COLLAB board member and designer Jason Lempieri partnered with acclaimed designer Doug Bucci to create a functional and symbolic object: a cake server designed for moments of celebration.

The result is a striking utensil crafted in 3D-printed stainless steel. The handle features Bucci’s signature honeycomb pattern, inspired by his research into cellular structures, encircling a flowing, molten-like silver form that transitions into a stretched hexagonal spade. Bucci meticulously hand-meshed and refined the form, creating a tactile, meaningful piece—a sweet reminder of achievement, brought to life with each use.

The 2016 COLLAB Award recipients were Oki Sato, Faye Toogood, and Zanini de Zanine.