String strainer by Taku Omura

“String strainer” was designed by Taku Omura of oodesign. Thanks to the eco-friendly resin “UNI-PELE”, it is possible to adjust openings of the strainer. That makes it easier to keep the strainer clean. It won the grand prix at the Kawasaki industrial design competition 2011.

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Calm trees iPad stand

Calm trees iPad stand is part of “Sample project” promoted by designer/creative director Toshihiko Sakai.

There are so many trees that are not suitable for building material because of their shapes. These trees are often left in woods as transporting those trees is too expensive to justify. Sample project has bought those trees and created new products. Using timber from forest thinning is becoming a popular way to make use of trees, but Sample project has another approach in order to rejuvenate the Japanese forest industry.

“Calm trees” iPad stand looks like a polished stone. It is handmade and polished one by one, so each product has different shape. Size S can hold iPad only horizontally, and Size L can hold iPad either horizontally or vertically. A simple but practical iPad stand. Compatible with iPad/iPad2

Calm trees iPad stand is available to purchase here.

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Interview with Nendo

Japanese design studio Nendo introduces their new product for Kartell: “Cliff bookcase”

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Trace Face Light

Artisans in Seto, Aichi created a lampshade which looks like knitted textile. It is not glazed, which gives a natural feeling to the lampshade.

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“Sparkle for Kartell” by Tokujin Yoshioka

Kartell will release “Sparkle for Kartell” at Milan design week, which is taking place in Milan this month. It was designed by Japanese designer Tokujin Yoshioka. The collection of stools is made from polycarbonate which appears to have the texture and cut of crystal glass.

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Toyo Ito is the 2013 Pritzker Architecture Prize Laureate

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Toyo Ito, a 71 year old architect whose architectural practice is based in Tokyo, Japan, will be the recipient of the 2013 Pritzker Architecture Prize. It was announced today by Thomas J. Pritzker, chairman of The Hyatt Foundation which sponsors the prize. Ito is the sixth Japanese architect to become a Pritzker Laureate – the first five being the late Kenzo Tange in 1987, Fumihiko Maki in 1993, Tadao Ando in 1995, and the team of Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa in 2010.

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Aluminum-framed cafeteria by Masatomo Kojima

Tokyo based architect Masatomo Kojima created an aluminum-framed cafeteria called ROKU, where you can watch a boat racing event from the windows. It is a modular system and possible to move around each piece in order to match the size of interiors. The project was commissioned by the Japanese boat racing association.
Photo©Kai Nakamura

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Shohei Shigematsu’s lecture at Harvard

Japanese architect Shohei Shigematsu held a lecture ‘Designing an Institute for Performance Art’ at Harvard.

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Oros by EAトCO

Oros is a grater designed and manufactured by EAトCO, located in Tsubame, Nigata, which is internationally recognized for its cutlery and metal manufacturing industry. The curved form keeps the contents from spilling out.

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TOKYO X CREATIVES – UAMOU

Amsterdam based visual artist Niko Lanzuisi is raising funds through indiegogo in order to create “a series of short documentary films showing aspects of Tokyo’s creative culture that usually remain inaccessible to those outside of the respective scenes, especially if they don’t speak the language”

The first episode of his project is UAMOU. It is a toy design studio established by Ayako Takagi

Tokyo x Creatives Indiegogo campaign #1 from studiodonbe on Vimeo.

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