Japanese furniture imprint Ariake unveils a look at its new Nagare collection which production started in October 2023. Back then, the studio brought a team of notable designers and brands to partake in a week-long design workshop in Saga, Japan. The participants include names such as "Gabriel Tan, Anderssen&Voll, Keiji Ashizawa, Norm Architects, Monica Förster, Naoki Terada, and Christian Haas."
The designers met here with the team's Hinoki partner factory to learn about growing, harvesting, and processing the impressive Japanese Cypress wood. The group was unveiled to Gen Taniguchi, who is the owner and master craftsman of Nao Washi, working to transform Kaji trees into washi paper. This experience provided tools and insights to create the 8-piece Nagare collection.
Image Credit: Sebastian Stadler
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Collaborative-design Furniture
- Collaboration amongst renowned designers results in unique, elevated furniture collections.
- Craftsmanship-centric Workshops
- Hands-on workshops with master craftsmen emphasize traditional manufacturing techniques.
- Sustainable Material Utilization
- Commitment to using locally sourced and sustainably harvested materials enriches product authenticity.
Where This Applies
- Furniture Design
- The industry sees innovative collaborations leading to distinctive, high-end products.
- Artisanal Manufacturing
- Artisanal methods and traditional craftsmanship elevate product quality and uniqueness.
- Sustainable Goods
- Growing demand for sustainably produced products reshapes industry standards.
