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Collection by Zach Edelson

Japanese Designer Reimagines the Relationship Between Architecture and Furniture

According to Oki Sato of multidisciplinary firm nendo, filling any room with mass-produced furniture leaves the space dull and "evened out." When every design is crafted to fit any context, everything looses its edge. Sato's striking and minimalist pieces, now appearing in a Tokyo gallery, challenge us to approach furniture differently.

Sato's border tables are on display at the Eye of Gyre gallery in Tokyo, Japan during that city's eponyous design week until October 28.

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Each border table is constructed from square metal rods almost one-fifth an inch wide; they hold circular metal disks about 4 inches in radius.
Each border table is constructed from square metal rods almost one-fifth an inch wide; they hold circular metal disks about 4 inches in radius.
"By walking around the gallery we went through a special design process of being inspired by elements that are normally “troublesome,” such as the corner of the room or protruding columns," says Sato. "In the process, we took turns in verifying how the furniture was balanced as it was placed within the space, as well as the proportion of the furniture itself."
"By walking around the gallery we went through a special design process of being inspired by elements that are normally “troublesome,” such as the corner of the room or protruding columns," says Sato. "In the process, we took turns in verifying how the furniture was balanced as it was placed within the space, as well as the proportion of the furniture itself."
Sato describes how "the design utilizes the element of space as a part of its structure by “parasitizing” on to the corners or edges of the walls, the edge of the floor and exhibition stands."
Sato describes how "the design utilizes the element of space as a part of its structure by “parasitizing” on to the corners or edges of the walls, the edge of the floor and exhibition stands."
The end of each metal rod is colored white to help it seemingly disappear into the architecture.
The end of each metal rod is colored white to help it seemingly disappear into the architecture.
Against a white background, the effect is even more startling.
Against a white background, the effect is even more startling.
While some border tables extend into the room, others almost defensively hug corners.
While some border tables extend into the room, others almost defensively hug corners.
More images from the gallery.
More images from the gallery.