The Story of the KOJA Series’ Birth
I first met Staffan Holm in the university woodworking workshop. Many design lectures were held there, so I started wearing jumpsuits instead of regular clothes.
Three students were there almost every day, covered in wood shavings and building prototypes: Sami, Staffan and me. We quickly became friends.
As soon as one of us had a new idea, we shared it with the others. We showed each other our models and developed the ideas together.
The Beginning of Our Collaboration
The collaboration between Staffan and me started naturally. It began as an experiment where we pulled thread through wood to create deformed shapes.
In 2009 we designed a table together called NEWTON. Since then, more than 10 years passed. I moved back to Japan, we both started families and had children.
Our friendship continued despite the distance. We traveled between Japan and Sweden and stayed in touch.
The Reunion in Asahikawa
When the Asahikawa Furniture Association asked if we wanted to develop furniture together, I wanted to work with Staffan again – just like when we were students.
I had Staffan call Asahikawa. We were allowed to rent part of a factory for a few days to design.
We met at Narita airport and showed our ideas to each other. Then our 4-day, 3-night design camp began.
The Design Process
From morning to evening we worked in the factory in Asahikawa. We could quickly transform our ideas into three-dimensional objects. Surrounded by the scent of wood carving, we built prototypes and corrected them. We sat on the cold floor and discussed small details. We forgot to eat. The factory in Asahikawa felt exactly like the Swedish workshop we had as students – as if 12 years had never passed.
When we left Asahikawa, the design was complete.
In 2009 we designed a table together called NEWTON. Since then, more than 10 years passed. I moved back to Japan, we both started families and had children.Our friendship continued despite the distance. We traveled between Japan and Sweden and stayed in touch.
The Reunion in Asahikawa
When the Asahikawa Furniture Association asked if we wanted to develop furniture together, I wanted to work with Staffan again – just like when we were students.
I had Staffan call Asahikawa. We were allowed to rent part of a factory for a few days to design.
We met at Narita airport and showed our ideas to each other. Then our 4-day, 3-night design camp began.
The Design Process
From morning to evening we worked in the factory in Asahikawa. We could quickly transform our ideas into three-dimensional objects. Surrounded by the scent of wood carving, we built prototypes and corrected them. We sat on the cold floor and discussed small details. We forgot to eat. The factory in Asahikawa felt exactly like the Swedish workshop we had as students – as if 12 years had never passed.
When we left Asahikawa, the design was complete.
When we left Asahikawa, the design was complete.
