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interview: naoto fukasawa handcarves tactile wooden furniture for milan design week

Naoto Fukasawa, a renowned Japanese designer, collaborated with the Bosnian brand Zanat to create a collection of twelve sculptural yet functional wooden furniture pieces, which were unveiled at Milan Design Week. The collaboration is rooted in a shared appreciation for handmade craftsmanship and traditional woodcarving techniques. The collection includes the Genkan series, comprising a console table, mirror, and storage box, along with the Buna chair. These pieces blend the aesthetic philosophies of both Fukasawa and Zanat, combining strength with fluidity, modern artfulness with primitive reliability, and traditional minimalism with tactile qualities. The Genkan series, named after the Japanese word for entryway, is designed to enrich the daily ritual of coming and going from home. Fukasawa intended the Genkan tabletop to exude warmth, acting as a welcoming host. The accompanying storage box, inspired by a seashell, invites tactile interaction upon entering a space. The mirror in the collection is framed by an intricately engraved wooden rim, showcasing Fukasawa's signature hand-carved influence. The Buna chair, whose name is derived from a Balkan river, features undulating components that merge harmoniously. Its hand-carved seat draws inspiration from ancient chair designs, where seats were sculpted from tree logs using primitive tools, and is crafted from wood sourced from forests or private fruit orchards, consistent with Zanat’s catalog. Fukasawa emphasizes that the collaboration with Zanat is not merely about creating visually appealing objects but about exploring the experience of touching the furniture. He noted that the unconventional, rough surface of the carved tabletops, a departure from the typical flat surfaces, offers a unique and pleasant tactile sensation. This focus on the sensory experience is a fundamental aspect of his design approach with Zanat. While Japanese culture is inherently present in his designs due to his background, Fukasawa does not explicitly integrate it, finding a strong connection with Zanat through their shared commitment to woodcraft technology and quality. Fukasawa detailed that the idea for the Genkan collection emerged from seeing Zanat’s exhibition in Milan, where craftsmen were actively engaged in woodcarving. He envisioned creating wooden sculptures that were also functional furniture pieces, suitable not just for homes but for any space. The Genkan collection serves as a symbolic entry point where one can place keys or letters, enhancing the ritual of transition. The Buna chair, designed at Zanat's request, reflects Fukasawa's expertise as a wooden chair designer. He describes a chair as a fascinating object that is both highly functional for comfort and can stand alone as a sculptural piece. The chair's design, though complex in form and surface, maintains reliability and ease of use due to its solid wood construction. The collaboration between Fukasawa and Zanat is characterized by a deep personal connection and a shared dedication to handmade design, distinct from modern industrial manufacturing. Both entities are united by the goal of creating objects that prioritize the human experience, fostering a partnership built on mutual respect and a common vision for artisanal craftsmanship. #NaotoFukasawa #ZanatFurniture #MilanDesignWeek #WoodenFurniture #HandcarvedDesign #TactileExperience #GenkanCollection #BunaChair #JapaneseDesign #BosnianCraftsmanship #NaotoFukasawa #ZanatFurniture #MilanDesignWeek #WoodenFurniture #HandcarvedDesign #TactileExperience #GenkanCollection #BunaChair #JapaneseDesign #BosnianCraftsmanship

19 months ago

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