Design
September 9, 2015
graf
graf
graf: A Gathering of People Who Give Form to Rich Ideas
This feature introduces graf, a quintessential Osaka shop that proposes a comfortable and intelligent lifestyle in its entirety, with a focus on product design, and its base of operations, graf bld.
Photos and text by Koji Kato
Presented as an Ideal Lifestyle
Simple furniture that brings out the natural texture of wood. Tableware that is practical and makes the most of its materials. The essential core of living, and the everyday yet rich and beautiful food that supports it from its roots. Art, an irreplaceable human intellectual pursuit.
It is at this "graf bld.," the hub of graf's activities, that one can experience these elements—clothing, food, and shelter—as a correct and natural way of life, close to a sensible rhythm of living.

Furniture and product design, food, and art. "graf bld.," graf's base of operations, mixes all these elements, presenting them as a single ideal lifestyle within the space that graf has created.
In the dining area on the second floor, you can sit on graf furniture, use graf cutlery and glasses, and savor dishes that can only be experienced here. The talk events and workshops frequently held within the showroom are vital connections between graf, the professionals who create, and us. They offer a glimpse into the source of graf's activities and allow us to imagine where graf is heading next.
Designers, product designers, furniture makers, chefs, artists, carpenters... graf is a gathering of people who give form to rich ideas, supporting our creative lifestyles. It is worth reaffirming this once more.
While graf's activities, which celebrate their 10th anniversary this year, are well-known, they actually began before the group's formation. Born during an era of excessive ornamentation and economic priority in product design, and the surrounding environment, the products of that time were far from simple, rich tools for a true life. The origin and starting point of graf's activities was the desire to create, with their own hands, the natural and abundant tools and styles suited to their own lifestyles.

They produce at graf labo, their manufacturing base, and sell in spaces they designed themselves. This approach has remained unchanged since its inception. However, their worldview has expanded slightly, gaining even greater affection from more people, and consequently, their scale has grown in response.
Though graf originates in Osaka, if they continue to propose the everyday lives of ordinary people at their own pace, whether in Tokyo, Fukuoka, or even New York or London, they will undoubtedly become special to the residents. Their creations connect with ordinary life and living, and in turn, connect with people's irreplaceable daily routines. This is what graf creates and proposes.

graf
4-1-18 Nakanoshima, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0005 graf bld.
Tel. 06-6459-2100
Business Hours |
3/4F graf bld.
12:00–20:00 (Tue–Sat)
12:00–19:00 (Sun, Holidays)
2F graf dining fudo
11:30–20:00 (L.O. 19:30)
Closed Mondays (Open the next day if Monday is a holiday)
http://www.graf-d3.com/
*As of June 2008