CORNICE by NAO IWAMATSU
Art & Design
Tokyo-based designer NAO IWAMATSU has created a stackable wooden stool that combines Japanese craftsmanship with Western architectural influences, offering a refined solution for compact urban living.
Named CORNICE, the stool features an innovative construction method that transforms slender wood offcuts into a structurally robust and visually striking piece of furniture. The design addresses a gap in the market for stackable seating that maintains an elegant presence in sophisticated environments.
"We are often moved by the intricate, repeating details found in grand architecture. Yet, what truly captivates us is the artisans' sensibility and breath of craftsmanship embedded within them," Iwamatsu explained.
The stool's distinctive form draws parallel inspiration from Western architectural cornices and the continuous beam structures found in Japanese temples and shrines. This dual cultural reference is characteristic of Iwamatsu's design philosophy, which he terms 'Narrative Minimalism' – an approach that seeks to embody material properties and cultural values within functional objects.
Each leg assembly comprises multiple 13mm-thick wooden pieces, joined using domino joints that ensure structural integrity while facilitating flat-pack shipping. While the prototype utilizes teak wood, Iwamatsu suggests that similar aesthetic and structural qualities could be achieved with oak or other wood species.
