Tatami stool - school work

It is the last weeks of this semester so naturally it is filled with schoolwork. Last week I had a presentation about my restaurant project, and this week I have been workig with some reports and these presentation pictures of a stool I designed and made. The pictures were taken in studio and in a really beautiful restaurant here in Kyoto, or actually in two different tea rooms of the restaurant.

畳こしかけ (tatami stool)

tatami stool is a mixture of traditional Japanese elements and modern, minimalistic form. It consists of two parts: a wooden frame structure and a changeable tatami cushion.

The key words for the design were simple, minimalistic shape, ecological approach and a possibility to variate/customise the product. The inspiration was found in Japanese  harmonious, traditional lifestyle and materials.

The wooden structure is very simple. The silhouette comes from Japanese “torii” gates.The four legs are implanted staight to the main board that works as a base for the whole stool. The wooden frame around the seat hides an air space between the main board and tatami cushion. By using the stiff flexibility of tatami, the cushion will give in and create a curved surface when it’s seated on. Tatami’s pleasant surface doesn’t only feel good but also creates the main pattern of the product. By using different colours and patterns in the heri framing the cushion, the stool can be customised to match the interiors it is lockated in.

The cushions are made of recycled materials. Both the inner tatami board and the mushiro on top are leftovers from the tatami manufacturing and usually these pieces ends up being thrown away. The smaller pieces that doesn’t fill the standard sizes of tatami mats can still be used for different kind of products.

Tatami stool is a simple supporting furniture that can be customised to fit many kind of  spaces and purposes. It celebrates the Japanese minimalism and sense of pure shapes and traditional materials.