Claesson Koivisto Rune × Woodwork / sasimonokagu takahashi [Story3]TACTILE CHARM 

“Trees are born from nature. Things made from trees must also be alive. To capture this life, the designers drew a soft form that, like the human body, was free of any flat surfaces. They then asked me to create it with my hands.”

The words of Yuji Takahashi capture the thinking behind Hand, his collaboration with Claesson Koivisto Rune, with a poetic simplicity. The chestnut furniture set includes three products ― table, bench, stool ― composed of convex forms and featuring joints that inspire curiosity and conversation. 

Seated around the table for the first time, the designers share their impressions on the craftsmanship of the finished products. “I feel that the furniture is both Scandinavian and Japanese at the same time. We can’t get away from our Scandinavian backgrounds, but there’s something Japanese about the shapes. They have a cuteness… soft and friendly, yet super precise,” explains Mårten Claesson. 

“There’s another element to things that are well made: tactility,” says Eero Koivisto, running his hands along the table’s surface. “It’s intriguing when furniture has this kind of tactility. You don’t want to part from this table; you want to keep touching it and finding new details,” adds Ola Rune. Sitting alongside him, Claesson has similiar sentiments. “I can detect some little imperfections with my fingertips, but I like that because it tells the story of the craftsman’s hand. The imperfection is perfect: I can’t see it, but I can feel it.”

Their observations connect to a fundamental element of the design: the hand-planed surfaces. During his visit to Hiroshima, Rune was drawn to Takahashi’s use of hand planes, a process the craftsman describes as a deep dialogue with the material, in which the tool becomes an extension of his body and mind. The movement of the tool creates subtle surface irregularities, which the craftsman leaves unfinished in order to add texture to sections where touch is important, such as an armrest or the edge of a seat. These details left such an impression on Rune that he proposed that each and every surface be finished in this manner ― a first for Takahashi ― in order to convey the craftsman’s techniques and philosophy.

The connection between people and his products has always been central to Takahashi’s approach to combining traditional wood joinery and furniture design. 

Through his respect for the trees which provide his materials, he strives to create long-lasting products with functionality and repairability, as well as an enduring beauty.

 “If a product is to last a century, it needs to be loved continuously for a century. As a creator, it’s my role to assemble the right elements to make this happen,” he explains. 

Through his work with Claesson Koivisto Rune, his international collaboration, he’s gained a new perspective on the role he can play as both a craftsman and designer. “The entire process has been a learning experience and it’s been so interesting to see this Scandinavian interpretation of my work,” says Takahashi. “From the convex tabletop to adding character by leaving surfaces unfinished, my preconceptions have been shattered and I’ve learnt to believe in the things that I make.”

For Claesson Koivisto Rune, the collaboration has provided a unique opportunity to extend upon a three decade-long relationship with Japan. Working closely with Yuji Takahashi, exploring the potential of his craft through their designs, has only deepened their appreciation for Japanese craftsmanship. The result is a furniture set brought to life through a mix of technical expertise and sheer passion. “In other cultures you often hear that something can’t be made, but there was a certain pride in making it happen,” says Claesson. “As designers, we’ve found that to be so rewarding.”

Their observations connect to a fundamental element of the design: the hand-planed surfaces. During his visit to Hiroshima, Rune was drawn to Takahashi’s use of hand planes, a process the craftsman describes as a deep dialogue with the material, in which the tool becomes an extension of his body and mind. The movement of the tool creates subtle surface irregularities, which the craftsman leaves unfinished in order to add texture to sections where touch is important, such as an armrest or the edge of a seat. These details left such an impression on Rune that he proposed that each and every surface be finished in this manner ― a first for Takahashi ― in order to convey the craftsman’s techniques and philosophy.

Their observations connect to a fundamental element of the design: the hand-planed surfaces. During his visit to Hiroshima, Rune was drawn to Takahashi’s use of hand planes, a process the craftsman describes as a deep dialogue with the material, in which the tool becomes an extension of his body and mind. The movement of the tool creates subtle surface irregularities, which the craftsman leaves unfinished in order to add texture to sections where touch is important, such as an armrest or the edge of a seat. These details left such an impression on Rune that he proposed that each and every surface be finished in this manner ― a first for Takahashi ― in order to convey the craftsman’s techniques and philosophy.

>>Read Story1、2

Claesson Koivisto Rune

クラーソン・コイヴィスト・ルーネ

Claesson Koivisto Rune is a Swedish architectural partnership, founded in Stockholm, in 1995, by Mårten Claesson, Eero Koivisto and Ola Rune. It started as an architectural firm, but has since become an internationally-acclaimed, multi-disciplinary office with an equal emphasis on both architecture and design. Project categories include buildings, hotels, homes, shops, offices, exhibitions, kitchens, sanitary ware, tableware, glassware, furniture, textiles, tiles, lighting, electronics, candy and even a trophy (the Swedish TV-prize Kristallen).

www.claessonkoivistorune.se

sasimonokagu takahashi

さしものかぐたかはし

SASIMONOKAGU-TAKAHASHI is furniture atelier founded in Kumano,Hiroshima in 2010 by joiner Yuji Takahashi. They can conclude whole process of making furniture  by themselves from design to sales. In those days they mainly craft furniture which is privately ordered through Takahashi.

Besides furnitures, he owns studio “tetoma” where he can open some exhibitions relates their lifestyle, chatting space and the other events. 

www.sasimonokagu-takahashi.com