karimoku case study 08

This interior design experiment in Tokyo successfully merges traditional Japanese design with contemporary influences

An extension of the Japanese furniture manufacturer Karimoku, the Karimoku Case Study is carrying out a series of super interesting architectural and interior design experiments. The projects usually include public spaces and residential homes, in collaboration with Japanese architect Keiji Ashizawa and Danish design studio Norm Architects. All the projects share a distinctive identity, with a thread of resonance hanging through them.

Designer: Karimoku Case Study

The Karimoku Case Study #8 is the Hiroo Residence in Tokyo, Japan. The Opus Arisugawa Terrace & Residence in central Tokyo was the subject of the project, and the brand worked closely with Ashizawa to create a space that is minimal, modest, and peaceful. The home is located in a parkside complex in the Hiroo district in Tokyo.

The home has been filled to the brim with furniture designed in some of the previous Karimoku Case Study projects. The furniture from the preceding projects forms a collection of 12 pieces – including armchairs, low sofas, and benches. Two pieces of furniture were specially designed for the Hiroo Residence. These pieces were designed by Ashizawa.

Called the ‘A-LB01’ sideboard and ‘N-DC04’ dining chair, both the designs harmoniously join the pre-existing collection. Featuring a broad, strong, and sturdy form, the furniture designs also boast a light timber finish, which adds an element of minimalism and tranquility to the pieces. The sideboard and dining chair perfectly completely the airy and open feel of the apartment.

Occupying 200 square meters, the home has charming views of a leafy park, hence creating a close connection to nature. The brand drew inspiration from this relationship with nature, to provide the apartment with a rather organic and nature-inspired aesthetic, which is in stark contrast to the otherwise hectic city of Tokyo. The home is marked by an amalgamation of minimalist and traditional Japanese design, as well as touches of contemporary design. Pocket sliding doors, wooden wall hangings, and woven seating elements create an intriguing mesh of different textures. The home boasts a smooth balance of curves and corners, as well as natural and electric light. It has a truly organized, zen-like, and calm appeal to it.

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Karimoku Case

The Japanese lifestyle brand Karimoku Case has been developed by Karimoku Furniture in collaboration with Norm Architects and Keiji Ashizawa Design emerging from a shared admiration and love for serene beauty, rich materials and timeless appeal. Karimoku Case and the first collection of 12 tailor made pieces had their international debut at 3daysofdesign 2019 in Copenhagen. Brand. Kiosk has been appointed to manage the international communication of the brand.

Press, image and interview requests: [email protected]

Karimoku Case launches two new pieces of furniture from its latest cases. In addition, the Japanese design brand introduces the new standard color Keyaki Brown to its furniture collection.

Karimoku Case participate in the joint exhibition “Enter the Salon”, curated by Signe Hytte Studio, at 3daysofdesign 2024 in Copenhagen.

Karimoku Case will hold its third large-scale exhibition at Rho Fiera in Milan from 16th to 20th of April, 2024.The furniture pieces designed by Karimoku Case-designers resonate beyond project boundaries and are displayed at the Salone del Mobile 2024 in a curated space expressing the world view of Karimoku.

Japanese lifestyle brand Karimoku Case presents its 10th case, the Azabu Hills Residence in Tokyo, with an organic interior design and bespoke furniture by Keiji Ashizawa and supported by Norm Architects on bespoke furniture.

In admiration of the rich expression of natural materials and the tranquility and beauty of the natural light that floods the private home, Keiji Ashizawa has created a serene interior rich in colour, light and touch. A distinctive feature of this project is the first use of Japanese Zelkova wood for the various bespoke furniture designs by Keiji Ashizawa and Norm Architects.

Karimoku Furniture is happy to announce the renaming of its high-end lifestyle brand Karimoku to Karimoku Case. From January 31, 2024, the brand will be run entirely under the name Karimoku Case in its online as well as offline presence.  

The Japanese lifestyle brand Karimoku Case presents its most comprehensive case study to date – the interior of the new BELLUSTAR TOKYO hotel in central Tokyo. For their 9th case study, the initiators of the brand, Keiji Ashizawa Design and Norm Architects, have developed a tailor-made interior design concept for the various rooms of the luxury hotel in the Tokyu Kabukicho Tower. These include three restaurants, a spa and five unique penthouse suites, all furnished with objects from the Karimoku collections.

Four years after celebrating its soft launch in Copenhagen, the Japanese lifestyle brand Karimoku Case is pleased to announce its return to the Danish capital, where the brand showcases its bespoke wooden furniture collections on the occasion of 3daysofdesign from June 7 – 10, 2023.  

For the exhibition, the brand’s Creative Director Norm Architects turned the New Mags bookstore into a residential interior that showcases a thorough selection of the Karimoku Case collections.  

Japanese lifestyle brand Karimoku Case showcases the wide variety and high quality of its bespoke contemporary furniture collections at Salone del Mobile. Referencing the concept of the brand, the bespoke collections are displayed in a comprehensive, thoughtfully curated interior resembling an apartment. Designed by the brand’s co-initiator, Japanese architecture and design practice Keiji Ashizawa Design, the interior is divided into different zones by material and colour, highlighting the versatility of the Karimoku collections.  

The Japanese lifestyle brand Karimoku Case proudly present its 8th case study, the furnishing of the luxury Hiroo Apartment located in a residential complex in central Tokyo. Brand initiator and lead architect for this case study, Keiji Ashizawa, has developed a bespoke interior design concept dictated by a sense of well-being and inspired by the sensual qualities of light. This new case study introduces the new concept of “crafted space”, a holistic approach to interior design that incorporates high-quality and hand-finished craftsmanship in every detail.

Japanese lifestyle brand Karimoku Case presents its sixth case study, the Michelin-starred Swedish restaurant ÄNG, which opened its doors on July 1, 2022, following a period of new construction. Norm Architects, creative directors of Karimoku Case and lead architects on the project, have implemented a bespoke interior concept in the newly constructed, modern glass house adjacent to the Ästad Vingård winery, with a clean yet strikingly atmospheric spatial effect that complements ÄNG’s unique culinary offering.

The Japanese lifestyle brand Karimoku Case exhibits at Salone del Mobile for the first time, showcasing the wide variety and high quality of its bespoke contemporary furniture collections and launching two new designs by Keiji Ashizawa. Referencing the concept of the brand, the versatility of the bespoke collections is displayed in a comprehensive, thoughtfully curated interior resembling an apartment designed by the brand’s co-founders, Danish architecture and design studio Norm Architects and Japanese architecture and design practice Keiji Ashizawa Design.

Karimoku Case Study

Emerged from shared design values, Karimoku Case Study is a contemporary lifestyle brand, based in Japan and born out of admiration and love for serene beauty, material richness and timeless appeal. The Case Study collections are brought to life by world-renowned architects through individual cases, and the story of each collection is told through its native setting.

The Case Study that caught our attention is The Archipelago House Collection, a collaboration with one of our favorite Danish design firms, Norm Architects. Set along the rocky coast of Sweden, Norm Architects designed the house with a focus on using and embracing natural materials, muted colors and clean lines – striving to create a minimal, yet very welcoming and curated interior. All of which has been combined with high quality craftsmanship and beautiful handmade pieces to make up the third collection of Karimoku Case Study.

Karimoku Case Study Seeks Better Living with Norman Foster

Hiroshi's grandfather, Shohei Kato, founded the Japanese furniture brand shortly after World War II. “His dream was to make people happy, because everything was destroyed and gone in Japan. I have that same dream, and we believe architects also have it,” Hiroshi says. Photo by Masaaki Inoue, Bouillon

By Lark Breen

December 12, 2022

Japanese furniture manufacturer Karimoku has a simple goal: to make people happy. “Today we have many difficulties—for example, war, sustainable matters, and also a divided society. We are always thinking as a furniture manufacturer, what we, Karimoku, can do for giving people a better life,” Vice President of Karimoku Furniture Hiroshi Kato says. “Our goal is to study and to reach a conclusion about what furniture can do for a better life, and better living.”

Hiroshi and the Karimoku team launched a sub-brand, Karimoku Case Study, to approach this goal. Working with architects, Karimoku develops collections to address the specific needs of a particular setting, working from its architecture down to the little details of the furnishings to produce a cohesive space. The hope is to produce furniture collections that tell the story of the space that they were designed for, and also retain timeless and natural beauty.

The new NF Collection, made with Norman Foster’s architecture firm Foster + Partners, is the seventh Case Study. The collection was designed for a private project by Norman Foster.

Photo by Masaaki Inoue, Bouillon

“Our material is wood. In this case, because we and Foster + Partners are very conscious about sustainability, we decided to use local Japanese hardwood, oak,” Hiroshi says. Norman Foster provided initial sketches, and Karimoku used its expertise in wood furniture to execute the collection with no big differences. “We and Foster + Partners collaboratively thought about solutions, without any kind of compromise,” Hiroshi says.

The thin wooden frame is almost skeletal, elegant in its delicate appearance. It complements the sharpness of the building with rounded edges, appearing soft and light. “It was the most challenging matter for us to construct beautiful, sensitive furniture that is also strong enough.” Another challenge was communication, as the collaboration began in 2019, soon to be delayed by Covid.

Despite a lack of face-to-face communication, the Case Study collection came together. The seven-piece NF Collection is also on view at Karimoku Commons Tokyo, a gallery space where the manufacturer shows new collections. Hiroshi says the reception has been good, the collection receiving attention not only locally in Japan, but also internationally, for example, in Korea and the US.

“For Karimoku this is just the start. We would like to make more furniture collections if Foster + Partners requests us to make new designs, it would be our great pleasure,” Hiroshi says. “We are a very open minded company, so if global architects would like to work with us, we always welcome it.” This seventh Karimoku Case Study follows past collaborations with Danish firm Norm Architects as well as Japanese architect Keiji Ashizawa, and is surely far from the last.

Courtesy Foster + Partners

karimoku-casestudy.com

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Karimoku Case

Manufacturers Chitagun, Aichi, Japan

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About Karimoku Case

MORE ABOUT KARIMOKU CASE

A SENSE OF SERENITY

Emerged from shared design values, Karimoku Case Study is a contemporary lifestyle brand, based in Japan and born out of admiration and love for serene beauty, material richness and timeless appeal. The Case Study collections are brought to life by world-renowned architects through individual cases, and the story of each collection is told through its native setting. With a holistic approach to architecture and design, the studio behind each collection creates a coherent style and setting, working their way from the architectural framework into the interiors and objects within the space, designing for specific needs and structures, rather than merely considering the aesthetic experience. With Karimoku Case Study we wish to introduce a thoughtful brand that serves as a guardian for the natural and timeless, using materials that possess an inherent richness and gain beauty with time and age.

QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP

As Japan’s leading manufacturer of wooden furniture, Karimoku proudly uphold a steady focus on quality. Their knowledge and genuine love for wood is reflected in their uncompromising production methods and remarkable attention to detail. Through the unique skills and production capabilities of Karimoku, the collaborating studios are encouraged to use the best possible materials for their case collections, ultimately creating design that last, maintaining the highest possible standards throughout.

Yearly or project-based, we invite architects to come to the Karimoku facility in Aichi, Japan to participate in workshops focused on familiarizing the collaborating studios with the history and production capabilities of Karimoku. By spending time together on-site, investigating each case and its context, we strive to achieve a shared understanding of the future goals of the Karimoku Case Study brand.

CONNECTED CULTURES

Karimoku Case Study was born out of mutual admiration. In both Denmark and Japan there’s a connection to nature evident in our respective design traditions. Now, more than ever, we see a need amongst urban dwellers for haptic qualities in our homes — a longing to reconnect with nature through surround- ings composed of natural materials and living surfaces. We believe that introducing quality design into our homes is a simple and efficient way of enhancing our quality of life. As a contemporary design brand, our approach is aimed at creating wholesome, human-centric design that, first and foremost, serves its user and context. It’s a subtle rebellion against the trend-driven, inspired by the durable ways of nature, and composed entirely of materials that patinate and possess timeless beauty.

CASE STUDY PROGRAM

Inspired by the Case Study Houses, Karimoku Case Study draws on the visionary works of the architects for the iconic, modernist program. In the 1940s, Arts & Architecture magazine commissioned young and successful architects, such as Richard Neutra, Charles and Ray Eames, to design inexpensive and easily rep- licable model homes to accommodate the residential housing boom in the US at the time. Based on new ideas for residential living, the commissioned architects essentially redefined the modern home, and the houses that were built are today considered iconic, modernist masterpieces.

Collections by Karimoku Case

Low side tables.

STOOLS & BENCHES

Karimoku Case families

Kinuta terrace.

Minatomirai Cafe

Shibuya Cafe

Jing'an Kerry Centre Cafe

Archipelago House

Azabu Residence

Notabene shoe store

Residential Project

The RESTAURANG ÄNG

Karimoku Case products

A-DC02 | Jing'an Kerry Centre Cafe

A-DC03 | Jing'an Kerry Centre Cafe

A-DT03 | The RESTAURANG ÄNG

A-LC01 | Jing'an Kerry Centre Cafe

Archipelago House | N-CC01

Azabu Residence | A-B01

Azabu Residence | A-DT02

Azabu Residence | N-S02 Armless

Catalogues by Karimoku Case

JOURNAL 02 (JA)

CATALOGUE 2021–2022

Karimoku Case projects

Minatomirai cafe.

Minatomirai, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan, 2020

KINUTA TERRACE

Kinuta, Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan, 2019

Karimoku Case product references

Notabene flagship store.

• Norm Architects

Copenhagen, Denmark, 2021

The Archipelago House

Sweden, 2020

Karimoku Case fairs

3daysofdesign 2023

07.06. - 09.06.

New Mags Bookstore

Ny Østergade 28,

Kongens Nytorv

07.06.2023, 09:30-18:00,08.06.2023, 09:30-18:00,09.06.2023, 09:30-19:00,10.06.2023, 09:30-18:00,

Coffe and Crossaint 7-8 th. 09:30–11:30, the winebar, 9th. 16:00–19:00

Salone del Mobile 2023

18.04. - 23.04.

Find Karimoku Case here:

Design Shanghai 2022

13.10. - 15.10.

Salone del Mobile 2022

07.06. - 12.06.

Karimoku Case designers

• Keiji Ashizawa
• Keiji Ashizawa Design
• Norman Foster

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Karimoku Case Study, Tokyo

Born out of a love for nature, richness of noble materials and a serene beauty that transcends time, Karimoku Case Study is a contemporary lifestyle brand developed by Japan’s leading wooden furniture manufacturer, Karimoku. Each collection is brought to life by leading architects around the world. The first collection is the creative outcome of a collaborative endeavor by Norm Architects and Keiji Ashizawa Design. The collection saw its global launch at the Kinfolk Gallery in Copenhagen, staged in an apartment setting reflecting a shared sense of aesthetics, craftsmanship and appreciation of natural materials, like wood and leather. Thoughtful designs comprised of honest, authentic materials that touch us on a deep level, crafted to last a lifetime. As collaborators on the launch, we were invited to provide our SHADE leather, co-created with Norm, crafted on select pieces in the launch collection, as well as bespoke boxes by August Sandgren. The collection subsequently saw its Asian debut in Japan in an exhibition at the AXIS Gallery in Tokyo. www.karimoku-casestudy.com

Karimoku Case Study at The AXIS Gallery in Tokyo. Boxes by August Sandgren crafted with Sørensen Leather. Photo by Masaki Ogawa.

Karimoku Case Study at The AXIS Gallery in Tokyo. Lounge chair by Norm Architects, Keiji Ashizawa and Karimoku crafted with Sørensen Leather. Photo by Masaki Ogawa.

Karimoku Case Study at The AXIS Gallery in Tokyo. Detail of Lounge chair by Norm Architects, Keiji Ashizawa and Karimoku crafted with Sørensen Leather. Photo by Masaki Ogawa.

Karimoku Case Study at The Kinfolk Gallery. Lounge chair by Norm Architects, Keiji Ashizawa and Karimoku crafted with Sørensen Leather. Photo by Monica Grue Steffensen.

Karimoku Case Study as part of The Kinfolk Gallery launch. The Kinuta Dining Chair by Norm Architects Keiji Ashizawa and Karimoku crafted with Sørensen Leather. Photo by Masaki Ogawa.

Karimoku Case Study Kinuta Dining Chair by Norm Architects Keiji Ashizawa and Karimoku crafted with Sørensen Leather. Photo by Masaki Ogawa.

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• Architecture

Karimoku Case Study creates new wood design one project at a time

Combining the minimalist aesthetics of Norm Architects and Keiji Ashizawa Design with Karimoku’s decades of experience in making wooden furniture results in Japandi at its best. The fourth Karimoku Case Study project transformed a Tokyo apartment from the 1980s into a serene and welcoming home whose dark-toned interior is a tribute to shadows.

A HOME IN a luxurious residential building in Azabu, Tokyo, built in 1988, now has a new, timeless interior thanks to Danish-Japanese collaboration. The interior of the apartment was designed by the Copenhagen-based Norm Architects and Tokyo-based Keiji Ashizawa Design, and the furniture was manufactured by Karimoku Case Study. The Azabu residence was their fourth collaborative project.

The Karimoku Case Study brand by the Japanese Karimoku consists of simple, high-quality wooden furniture, designed separately for each interior design project. This is also what the name of the brand suggests.

Karimoku is Japan’s largest manufacturer of wooden furniture, and it was established in 1940 by Shohei Kato in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture. The name Karimoku comes from the abbreviations Kari and moku , which refer to the company’s hometown and the word mokuzai , meaning wood. At first, the small workshop produced various wooden parts for, e.g., sawing machines and pianos, until it launched its own furniture collection in the 1960s.

Since 2009, the company has established a number of new furniture brands, such as Karimoku New Standard, Karimoku KUNST, Ishinomaki Laboratory of Karimoku and, most recently, Karimoku Case Study. What all of these have in common is the collaboration with leading creatives and Karimoku’s effort to produce top-quality furniture that elevates interiors and brings joy to its users.

Karimoku strives to produce top-quality furniture that elevates interiors and brings joy to its users.

The Karimoku Case Study projects were inspired by  Case Study House program launched in the 1940s by the American Arts & Architecture magazine, which aimed at developing modern homes to meet the increased housing needs of that time. The model houses were drawn by the likes of Richard Neutra , Eero Saarinen and Charles and Ray Eames , and they are considered among the most significant works of their designers.

Karimoku Case Study’s collaboration with Norm Architects and Keiji Ashizawa Design is based on shared design values: admiration for serene beauty, richness of materials and timelessness. The brand values working with international designers and finding new approaches, and it enjoys testing the limits of woodworking.

The three previous Karimoku Case Study sites are the Kinuta Terrace apartments in Tokyo, the Blue Bottle Coffee café in Yokohama and the holiday home designed by Norm Architects on the coast of Gothenburg. Each project has added new, timeless furniture to the brand’s collection. Furniture designed for previous cases has also been utilized in new projects.

The use of smoked oak and dark wood veneers enhances the dusky impression, creating a calm and cozy space for contemplation and family life.

The Azabu case study is characterized by elements inspired by American Modernism. The warm and welcoming interior features stone, dark wood and fabrics with strong texture. When compared to, e.g., the first Kinuta Terrace project with an interior that is flooded with light, the Azabu site features darker tones. The use of smoked oak, and dark wood veneers enhances the dusky impression, creating a calm and cozy space for contemplation and family life.

“I wanted to highlight the quality and unique features of the Azabu Residence Building and incorporate the stone sculptures from the garden and entry that were added during the renovation. I also wanted to embrace the obscurity that covers the whole space. I took inspiration from the Japanese book In Praise of Shadows by Jun’ichiro Tanizaki . I wanted to work with the shadows rather than against them, and hence focused on a darker material scheme,” says lead architect Keiji Ashizawa .

A total of four pieces of furniture were created for the Azabu project: Keiji Ashizawa designed a dining table and a bench, and Norm Architects designed a modular sofa and wall shelves. Karimoku also realized the apartment’s bespoke wooden fixtures, such as built-in cabinets and doors. Just as with the previous projects, the Azabu case study also forms a coherent whole in terms of style and atmosphere and combines Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics in an elegant way. Thus, Japandi at its best.

• Products designed by Norm Architects > • Products designed by Keiji Ashizawa >

Text: Laura Hallikainen Photos: Karimoku Case Study

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Azabu Hills Residence by Karimoku Case is defined by peaceful interiors and Japanese design

Karimoku Case reveals Azabu Hills Residence, the lifestyle brands tenth project, a minimal modern home that is a serene escape from city living

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Amidst Tokyo ’s leafy Minami-Azabu district, contemporary lifestyle brand Karimoku Case presents its tenth project, Azabu Hills Residence (following, most recently, the Bellustar Tokyo and the Hiroo Residence , also in Tokyo). This modern home centres on Japanese design, with bespoke furniture and interior design from long-term Karimoku collaborators Keiji Ashizawa from Keiji Ashizawa Design and Frederik Alexander Werner from Norm Architects.

Calming interiors and craftsmanship by Karimoku Case

Entering the apartment, the elongated floor plan, connected with lattice doors, channels light throughout the home, creating a calm and airy space. This acts as the perfect canvas for a selection of natural finishes and elegant touches, such as linen curtains and plaster walls, light-coloured marble and soft, textural furnishings.

Drawing upon the residence’s architectural openness, Ashizawa and Werner designed new bespoke furniture specifically for this project. The architects introduced tables and chairs crafted from Japanese Zelkova Keyakai wood, used traditionally in Japanese culture for temples and shrines, which gave the designs a warm counterbalance against the cream interior tones.

In an effort to revitalise the Japanese forests and to use natural resources responsibly, Werner says, ’The Azabu Hills Residence has given us the opportunity to not only work on new pieces for the collection, but also to welcome “Keyaki” (Japanese Zelkova) to the family of wood species we can offer. 

‘As a hard wood with a long and rich history within Japanese building and furniture making, Keyaki is special. It resonates well with our brand direction and with its warmth it follows our ambition to create furniture and interiors that enhance human wellbeing. It is also one of the steps we take towards offering a more diverse material palette, in an effort to open our customers’ and collaborators' eyes to the qualities within less-utilised wooden species.’

Having the residents' comfort in mind, Ashizawa wanted to create the space to be a peaceful environment. The co-founder designed a matching sofa, and armchair with a soft canvas texture. Norm Architects crafted an accompanying coffee table and task chair with an open rounded back and fine rope detailing. The curvature of the soft furnishings provides a delicate touch in contrast to the smooth Keyaki wood, collectively creating a serene escape from the city.

With an eye for detail, the interior window frames, and wooden hardware carry the Keyaki wood theme. The organic tonality of furnishings and natural fabrics present a fine-tuned balance of hard and soft materials, making Azabu Hills Residence a light and open space, with carefully curated modern design.

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Karimoku Case Study

Frederik Werner on the launch of Norm Architects’ new furniture collaboration during Copenhagen’s 3 Days Of Design.

The Kinfolk Gallery

As part of 3 Days of Design 2019, the Kinfolk Gallery was transformed into a contemporary apartment setting for the launch of furniture and lifestyle brand Karimoku Case Study. Merging the simple Japanese design aesthetics of furniture makers Karimoku with the work of Copenhagen’s local creative scene, the inaugural collection was produced by the Danish design firm Norm Architects and Tokyo-based designer Keiji Ashizawa. Although the pieces felt readily at home dotted around the Kinfolk Gallery, they were initially designed for a very different setting: two newly renovated apartments in Kinuta, Tokyo.

What inspired the collaboration with Karimoku?

We met Keiji Ashizawa during a workshop in Southern Japan. He introduced us to the Karimoku team and got us involved with the Kinuta apart...

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Introducing Karimoku Case Study

A new furniture brand that brings together the best of japanese and danish design..

Danish and Japanese design have a lot in common. Both of them favor minimalism, material richness, function, and quality craftsmanship. The new Karimoku Case Study lifestyle brand is the perfect example. Created by Japan’s largest wooden furniture manufacturer Karimoku Furniture in a collaboration with design and architecture studios Norm Architects and Keiji Ashizawa Design , the brand made its debut during this year’s 3daysofdesign event in Copenhagen, Denmark. It’s the third high-end furniture brand created by Karimoku Furniture, following the introduction of Karimoku New Standard and Karimoku Kunst.

Launched on May 23 in a specially curated show at the Kinfolk Gallery, the first Karimoku Case Study line features 12 custom pieces. They include a sofa, chairs and armchairs as well as tables and a shelving system. Crafted from wood, the range also features stone, glass, and fabric upholstery that complement the organic textures of natural wood. Designed by leading architects and designers, the collection references Tokyo’s Kinuta Terrace apartment project that links indoor and outdoor spaces. At the same time, the exhibition draws inspiration from the serenity and warmth of Japanese gardens and temples.

Apart from the first Karimoku Case Study collection, the Kinfolk Gallery show also featured work from local brands and creatives. The exhibition recreated the look and feel of a contemporary apartment setting, complete with a blend of Japanese and Danish design, tactile surfaces, natural colors, and artworks – all brought together in a calm, warm space. Photographs© Monica Grue Steffensen, Karimoku Furniture Inc.

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The Humble Collection of Portable, Waterproof Lamps

A series of four portable and waterproof lamps designed to illuminate indoor or outdoor spaces….

The Relvãokellermann Föppl Collection

A minimalist solid oak furniture collection inspired by a 1930s chair. Inspired by the Crate…

Introducing SOAPBOTTLE

An innovative collection of 2-in-1 personal care products made with soap packaging. Plastic packaging is…

Around the world

Treehouse villas, a nature-centric retreat in bali.

Seven tree house villas in Bali nestled among lush vegetation on a sloping site that…

Ftelia Beach Club

Italian design meets modernist vibes in a tranquil retreat by the sea in Greece. Nestled…

Pa.te.os, A stunning coastal retreat in Portugal

Four concrete houses that invite guests to lose themselves in a spectacular coastal landscape. Located…

Photographers

We work with photographers documenting creative stories around the world. We’re glad that you are interested in helping us convey our passion through photography. Please send us an email with the subject heading " #photographers ", a link to your portfolio, your location and suggestions of creative subjects you would like to document for us in your area.

Contributors

We are always looking for new contributors to help us document excellence. We are recruiting writers with expertise in our main categories: design, architecture, interior design, lifestyle, art and fashion. Send resume and links to previously published works with the subject heading: " #contributors ". Please express your area of interest, include two writing samples and social media profiles.

The internship offers recent grads and matriculated students a chance to gain valuable work experience in an engaging and fast-paced editorial environment. We are looking for Visual Production Interns – the role is focused on photography, design, photo-editing, image curation, and other visual media. Editorial Interns – the role requires classic editorial skills, from writing and basic editing to research and reportage. Interns are required to research, compile and produce stories, contribute with their input on layout, and assist with production.Interested applicants should contact us with the subject heading: " #interns ". Please include: An introduction about yourself and why you’d be a great fit for the job: Resume; Links to any previous work; One sample, 200-word article and/or a 10-photo fully edited and captioned photo essay; Areas of interest and short explanation why.

We experience our surroundings through impressions from our senses and movements, and it is through these that we relate to the world.

In each project and commissioned work we develop, we find inspiration from genius loci—a ‘sense of place’ — and are fascinated with how a subtle change in a surface can transform the atmosphere in a space., as spatial practitioners, our aim is to orchestrate the balance between the proportions of the space, the light conditions and the remaining interior..

Below you will find a selection of our recent projects and commissioned work.

Collaboration:

Atelier plateau x karimoku case study.

Photography: Tomooki Kengaku and Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen

Interior Design:  No rm Architects  and Keiji Ashizawa Design

Interior Stylist: Yumi Nakata

Merging Scandinavian design tradition and Japanese craftsmanship, we have teamed up with Japan’s largest wooden furniture manufacturer Karimoku Furniture to design a series of wooden wall sculptures in collaboration with  Karimoku Case Study .

This collaboration is a study of the Karimoku Case Study  furniture collection and engages our senses in a series of limited edition subtle art pieces designed by Atelier Plateau and produced by Karimoku Case Study.

The subtle qualities of the wall sculptures are an integral component of our work. Made from oak assembled with fine furniture joints, the art pieces are highly sensory to the viewer—inspired by the materials and finishes of the Karimoku Case Study Collection. In this way, our aim is to highlight the connection between the plateaus and the Karimoku Case Study Collection, and encourage observation of the passing of time as the viewer is invited to watch volumes of shadows grow as light moves across the curved surfaces.

The first wooden wall sculpture was introduced in the Hiroo Residence, Japan, designed by Keiji Ashizawa Design .

At Milan Design Fair 2023, two wall sculptures were added to the series in two different locations — designed by Norm Architects and  Keiji Ashizawa Design :

Karimoku Commons Pop Up Showroom in ASSAB ONE and K arimoku Case Study Exhibition at Rho Fiera.

Atelier Plateau x Adidas x Asphaltgold

Read the full interview on the Asphaltgold Blog .

For Adidas and Asphaltgold we have created a very special artwork, inspired by the progressive design of the adidas NMD S1 silhouette.

When we received the invitation from Asphaltgold and Slektion to create a bespoke sculpture for the Adidas NMD S1 sneaker, we knew immediately that we wanted to take part in this project. Both the opportunity to inspire for an active living, and to interpret a sneaker that represents the pinnacle expression of Adidas’ craft into a sculpture, has brought both inspiration and joy.

Liewood Headquarters

Location: Blegdamsvej in Copenhagen

Interior Design:  Norm Architects

Photography: Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen

For the new Liewood Headquarters in Copenhagen, designed by Norm Architects, we have delivered a range of wall reliefs.⁠ ⁠ “Integrating thoughtful artworks has been a vital part of creating a stimulating atmosphere.” — Norm Architects.⁠ ⁠ The Headquarters invites you into a warm universe of light tones and textured natural materials. And by adding a monochrome, yet rich, colour and material palette the building’s five floors form the framework for an inspiring work environment filled with life, changeability, and community.⁠

15 bespoke art pieces:

Beyond the surface.

Collaboration with The Audo and  St. Leo

Location: The Audo in Copenhagen, Denmark

Photography:  Værnis Studio

In this limited-edition series of 15 subtle wall reliefs presented by The Audo, our aim was to explore modernist form and colour.

‘Beyond The Surface’ was developed exclusively for The Audo and inspired by their interior design concept, Tomorrow’s House, which draws upon Modernism, minimal abstraction and timeless Scandinavian aesthetics.

As a boutique, hotel residence, restaurant, café, concept store, material library, work and event space, The Audo unites design, work-life, hospitality and community in one.

Approaching the project with great respect for the former merchant’s building, we carefully studied the existing materials, colours and details of the house to let the surroundings and decor inform each other. Our reliefs are in dialogue with the rooms they occupy as they change expression during the day, depending how the light hits each unique, three-dimensional composition.

Each relief bears a unique composition, depth, dimension, and textural expression. The colours for this project were mixed by St. Leo from organic, powder pigments, including several tailor-made especially for the collection to ensure complete synergy with The Audo’s new interiors palette.

Nobu Hotel Santorini

Location: Santorini

Art Curation: Stones & Walls

Photography: PION Studio

The luxury hotel Nobu offers 25 stunning accommodations—all with breathtaking views of the Caldera and the Aegean Sea.

Designed in traditional whitewashed Cycladic style, our wall reliefs are part of the beautiful suites in soft sandy hues making a reference to the stunning surrounding landscape.

3 bespoke art pieces:

Plateaus of nature.

Location: Private Residence in Whistler, Canada

Interior Design:  Openspace Architecture

Photography: Russell Dalby

For this home—perched in the mountains of Whistler—we were asked to develop three bespoke art pieces to be mounted on a white oak veneer wood paneling in the Stair Hall of the house.  

Our vision was to make a visual connection to the expansive views to the surrounding landscape by creating an organic movement and working with a soft expression inspired by the surrounding thick blanket of snow during winter.

Wall relief:

Plateau 01:19 pm.

Location: One Prospect Park West in NY, United States

Interior Design:  Workstead

Photography: Evan Joseph

Workstead reimagined this historic building into 64 residences which overlook Prospect Park, Grand Army Plaza and Manhattan’s skyline in the distance. Preserving the history and original pre-war details of the building was paramount.

Traditional forms and details are reinterpreted through a modern lens to create grande spaces that remain classic, while still meeting the aesthetic and functional needs of today’s family. 

For this project, our ‘Plateau 01:19 PM’ is part of the main lobby, which is both grand and intimate—reflecting the character of neighboring Prospect Park, with elemental materials, such as bronze details, limestone flooring, stone thresholds, and plaster walls. This formality playfully contrasts with the heart of the building that has been designed for the casual lifestyle of today and intended to foster a sense of community.

Fragments of Figures

Photography:  Værnis Studio & Atelier Plateau

In ‘Fragments of Figures’, the human form is explored through subtle 3-dimensional, abstracted shapes and the viewer is invited to watch lines shift and volumes of shadows grow as light moves across the undulating surfaces. In this way, we aim to highlight  the connection between the works and their spatial context, encouraging the observation of subtle environmental evolutions and of time passing.

Each of the three unique pieces in ‘Fragments of Figures’ are in themselves fragments of a triptych; they can be displayed on the wall in different positions to create a variety of motifs interconnected through each piece’s intricate linework and curvilinear compositions. This feature offers flexibility, allowing the works to adapt to varying interior environments or to be rearranged into different narratives and introduce new visual interest.

‘Fragments of Figures’ was made from finely crushed stone and liquid colour pigments from St. Leo. The colours were chosen for their natural profiles and to harmonize with The Audo’s interior design, to complement rather  than overshadow the space.

Wall reliefs for

Modern perspectives.

Location: Copenhagen, Denmark

Interior Design: Pernille Vest

A selection of our ‘Beyond The Surface’ pieces is part a small and intimate loft apartment by  DUX .

Decorated with curated furniture, personal objects and collecting pieces the apartment provides a welcoming setting with the centrepieces of our everyday lives.

Wall relief for

Ark journal’s case study: natural order.

Location: Denmark

Interior Design: Pernille Vest,  Assistant: Henriette Schou

Photography: Heidi Lerkenfeldt

The relationship between art, architecture and design and the natural world is a central theme of Ark Journal’s Volume 5 . Our piece ‘Beyond The Surface 02:25 PM’ is on the cover and part of the magazine’s Case Study “Natural Order”—a case study immersed in “Handcrafted and tactile, raw materials. Calm forms. Contemplative, still, reflective”.

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