Ariake launches at Singapore Design week

Ariake factory in Morodomi and Right, ’Sagyo’ bench by Keiji Ashizawa

New brand Ariake has launched in collaboration with Legnatec, Hirata Chair and four international designers. Left, the Ariake factory in Morodomi. Right, ’Sagyo’ bench by Keiji Ashizawa.

(Image credit: Sebastian Stadler)

By Sujata Burman

last updated 28 October 2022

‘Despite the language barrier, the designer and craftsmen generated a collective energy and mutual trust that helped define the soul of the brand.’ These are the words of Gabriel Tan, design director of Ariake. The new brand merges Japan with Singapore, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden in a collection of 18 furniture pieces.

Launched at Singapore Design Week last week, the brand is a collaboration between two Japanese furniture manufacturers from the town of Morodomi in the Saga district – Legnatec and Hirata Chair. Headed up by Singapore/New York-based Tan (who also designed a couple of the pieces), he appointed the coveted list of Anderssen & Voll, Staffan Holm and Keiji Ashizawa to design the collection of seating, tables and storage during one immersive week in the Japanese town.

Tan’s aesthetic is all about the synergetic process: ‘It is our belief that strong working relationships are the foundation of good products’, he says. He used the unique collaboration, built by his new international team, to create a collection that is ergonomic, too. 'Staffan is really tall and he can test the furniture, and manufacturing ladies are tiny so they can too,' he adds.

His successful experiments come together in a beautiful array of products, with refined branding by Swiss graphic design studio AnnerPerrin that shows a clear connection between Asia and Europe. Like Holm’s cabinet range – inspired by ‘Kumiko’ screens that he has oversized for a contemporary yet minimalist finish – and Tan’s own ‘Rikyu’ sideboard range that represents the harmony of a Japanese abode with a serene frosted glass addition.

Tan explains that the collection was ‘inspired by the spirituality of Japanese culture and urban living contexts’. The name ‘Ariake’ translates to ‘morning moon’ or ‘day break’. It certainly sees an exciting direction for traditional Japanese manufacturers and craftsmen, and their marriage to the modern design world.

’Ariake’ chair and ’Dovetail’ stool — Left, ’Ariake’ chair by the brand’s design director, Gabriel Tan. Right, ’Dovetail’ stool by Staffan Holm

’Saga’ stool/footrest by Norwegian design studio Anderssen & Voll

black paint marks — All of the designs were formulated over one week in the town of Morodomi

’Rikyu’ console and ’Saga’ chair — Left, ’Rikyu’ console by Gabriel Tan. Right, ’Saga’ chair by Anderssen & Voll

’Kumiko’ cabinet and ’Taio’ table — Left, Staffan Holm’s ’Kumiko’ cabinet. Right, ’Taio’ table by Anderssen & Voll

Tan was inspired by Cai Guo-Qiang’s ’Sky’ ladder for his bent wood shelving

Keiji Ashizawa’s ’Sagyo’ table has been created both as a dining and office table

INFORMATION

For more information, visit the Ariake website

Sujata Burman is a writer and editor based in London, specialising in design and culture. She was Digital Design Editor at Wallpaper* before moving to her current role of Head of Content at London Design Festival and London Design Biennale where she is expanding the content offering of the showcases. Over the past decade, Sujata has written for global design and culture publications, and has been a speaker, moderator and judge for institutions and brands including RIBA, D&AD, Design Museum and Design Miami/. In 2019, she co-authored her first book, An Opinionated Guide to London Architecture, published by Hoxton Mini Press, which was driven by her aim to make the fields of design and architecture accessible to wider audiences.

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