The etymology of the English word ‘furniture’ traces back to the French fourniture and the Latin mobiles, referring to objects and devices that combine mobility, adaptability and a degree of durability to fulfil the functions of life. In contrast, the Japanese word for furniture is 家具(kagu), which combines the characters 家 (house) and 具 (means, or tools), reflecting an arrangement of things that facilitate ways of living that were centred around the floor: recalling a time before the existence of furniture as we now know it.

While contemporary furniture is often commercially mass-produced and therefore detached from the home, architects in Japan are challenging this norm. They combine architectural elements with furniture, playfully echoing the diverse forms that contemporary lifestyles can take. These practitioners pursue mobility, connectivity and compactness in their work, sharing an affinity with makers who apply traditional techniques to modern materials to achieve an economy of means. This approach skillfully navigates legal and economic challenges to create harmonious and environmentally sensitive living spaces.

ARCHITECTS, MAKERS AND PROJECTS:

Schemata Architects with Ikuya Sagara

Studio MNM with Kittaka Brothers & Corp, Bansyo, Ishikawa Seisakusho and Imatoku Kogei

Suzuko Yamada with Yuki Murakami

Tsubame Architects with Hidakuma Studio

The exhibition is a collaboration between Shin Egashira, the Maeda Corporation and the Architectural Association.

Image: Schemata Architects and Ikuya Sagara