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:

Yatai 2: Kaya, Schemata Architects with Ikuya Sagara

Nomadic Kasuri Horizons, Studio mnm with Kittaka Brothers & Corp, Bansyo, Ishikawa Seisakusho and Imatoku Kogei

Body to Landscape, Suzuko Yamada with Yuki Murakami

Wood Waste Micro Pub, Tsubame Architects with Hidakuma Studio

The exhibition will open on Friday 17 January 2025 with the Distillation of Architecture: 家具 Symposium, before an opening reception from 6.30pm. To celebrate the exhibition opening, on Saturday 18 January the Essence of Architecture: Material Conversations event will take place at Japan House London.

Programme

Lunchtime talk: Jo Nagasaka, Ikuya Sagara, Hidakuma Studio, Tsubame Architects in conversation with Kate Davies (AA Design + Make)
AA Gallery, 36 Bedford Square
Tuesday 14 January 2025, 12-12.45pm

Lunchtime talk: Suzuko Yamada, Yuki Murakami, Madeline Kessler and Mio Tsuneyama in conversation
AA Gallery, 36 Bedford Square
Wednesday 15 January 2025, 12-2.45pm

Distillation of Architecture: 家具 Symposium
AA Lecture Hall, 36 Bedford Square
Friday 17 January 2025, 2–6.30pm

Exhibition Private View
AA Lecture Hall, Gallery and Front Members' Room, 36 Bedford Square
Friday 17 January 2025, from 6.30pm

The Essence of Architecture: Material Conversations
Japan House London, 101-111 Kensington High Street
Saturday 18 January, 2–6.45pm

Urban Fungus - Architecture is a complex mesh
Mio Tsuneyama and Fuminori Nousaku
AA Lecture Hall, 36 Bedford Square
Thursday 6 March 2025, 6.30–8pm

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

Image: Schemata Architects and Ikuya Sagara