# Concept Seating Collections CUT and ZEN Chairs Explore Eco Materials & Japanese-Inspired Forms By Amy Duong | Published 2026-08-14 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cut-and-zen References: [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jarokose/)  The CUT and ZEN chairs present two seating designs by Jaro Kose that examine material innovation and sculptural form through distinct approaches. CUT pairs a rounded oak frame with a broad backrest and [stackable construction](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/allessenza) suited to residential and commercial settings, while upholstered and high-chair versions extend the collection. One variation replaces the standard seat and backrest with [recycled plastic components](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lunar-chair) featuring a terrazzo-like speckled finish that highlights the material's previous life rather than concealing it. The recycled surfaces contrast with the timber frame, making sustainability a visible design element. ZEN takes inspiration from the composition of Japanese Zen gardens, translating stones and raked gravel into a [fully upholstered lounge chair](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hidahida). A generously rounded seat references smooth rocks, while concentric padded forms create a layered backrest recalling the patterns drawn around stones in traditional gardens. The soft construction emphasizes curved volumes and continuous upholstery, producing a contemporary seating piece that combines sculptural geometry with a minimalist material palette. Image Credit: Jaro Kose ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 11% | Activity: 8% | Freshness: 91% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Visible Recycled Materials:** Furniture that showcases recycled inputs through terrazzo-like finishes turns sustainability into an aesthetic feature for premium residential and commercial interiors. - **Sculptural Minimalist Seating:** Rounded volumes, layered forms, and restrained palettes create opportunities for chairs that function as both ergonomic furniture and statement design objects. - **Nature-inspired Furniture Forms:** Design references from Zen gardens, stones, and raked patterns suggest new directions for calming interiors shaped around biophilic and cultural storytelling. ### Where This Applies - **Furniture Design:** Material experimentation with timber, upholstery, and recycled plastic expands the category beyond function into expressive, sustainable product collections. - **Commercial Interiors:** Stackable formats and visually distinctive eco materials support adaptable seating solutions for hospitality, workplace, and public environments. - **Sustainable Materials:** Recycled plastics with intentionally visible histories point to growing demand for circular materials that add texture, narrative, and differentiation. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Minimal Folding Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nor-casa.md) - [Rolling Robotic Back Massagers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/roboroll-l1.md) - [Outdoor Camping Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/starbucks-stand-by-beams-x-coleman.md) - [Bioactive Peptide Research Collaborations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bioactive-peptide.md) - [Contemporary Portable Car Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-took.md) - [Cultural Modular Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nkyinkyim-a-casa.md) - [Elephant-Inspired Lounge Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/loxo-chair.md) - [3D-Printed Chair Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/echo-chair.md) - [Branch Furniture Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uneri-capsule.md)