For the sixth annual AZ Awards, our intrepid jury narrowed the field from over 800 submissions, received from dozens of countries, to select just 48 finalists that stood above the rest. In addition to presenting the AZ Award winners, Azure recognized these projects, products and concepts with Awards of Merit.

Finally, furniture for the 21st-century office that has real character. This new collection was made with fluid, open concept spaces in mind, and it features minimalist hat and coat racks made from bent wood, and three-in-one workstations (consisting of a seat, a table and a coat rack) that can be easily moved from place to place. For meetings, forget the staid mahogany boardroom table: a two-person loveseat is designed to encourage proximity and eye contact. The concepts may be novel, but the craftsmanship and materials (mainly beechwood) show a deep commitment to artisanal values.

Studio: PearsonLloyd, U.K.

Designers: Tom Lloyd and Luke Pearson

Manufacturer: Teknion, U.S.