A meet between Japanese culture and Danish design
The two places that I spent most of my time at home, is in my bedroom and in my dining room. When choosing furniture for my home I want it to have the right function, but also the right design. I love buying furniture and objection on online actions, but you really have to be present to get the good stuff and also ready to buy when the right piece is finally there. One of the reason that I like buying old furniture, is that is comes with a story and a soul. That is how I feel about this new design collaboration from Norm Architects. Even though the design is brand new, it reminds me of something from an old era but produced in a new age. In the fall of 2017 Norm Architects travelled to Japan to take part in an international furniture workshop, organised by Ariake, during which, a new and exciting design collaboration was initiated between Norm Architects and StudioMK27 (Marcio Kogan). It is very clear to me that this is a meet between Japanese culture and Danish design and I absolutely love it!
“Despite the experience of being kindred spirits on a creative level, the cultural aspects of the workshop were intriguingly exotic. Everything was different from home – nature, smells, habits, customs – the Japanese culture seemed to be so collective, implicit, considerate and full of respect, which reflected positively on the spirit of the Ariake workshop.” – Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, Norm Architects
“Working intensively and openly with this group of designers and skilled craftsmen at the factories for the duration of a week made me realize how we were bound together by a huge respect for craftsmanship, quality, authenticity, minimalism, functionality, innovation and nature.” – Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, Norm Architects
“Meeting with all the other designers directly from the airport in a furniture shop in Fukuoka, I might just as well have been in Copenhagen. All the furniture on display are either Danish or looks like Danish design and I immediately understand the connection between the two cultures.”
– Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen, Norm Architects
The braid sofa was designed specifically for an exclusive hotel project that StudioMK27 is currently working on. Combined by elements of traditional Danish cabinetmakers’ furniture – with subtle references to icons such as Børge Mogensen, Hans Bølling and Finn Juhl –, as well as patterns found in classic bamboo constructions and tatami mats, the braid sofas and chair are intended for a lounge-like environment.
Their strict architectural structure, with paper braided armrests, makes them ideal both as free-standing furniture, as well as simply placed against a wall. The warm hues and natural nuances found in traditional Japanese archi- tecture are mimicked in a well-balanced mix of wood, textile and paper cord in different tones and nuances.
Photos by Norm Architects
