Design Meticulously Crafted for Contemporary Living

—Could you tell us about the background behind the creation of the "JK" armchair?


In a world with so many wonderful, classic chairs, I found it most challenging to understand the necessity of creating a new wooden chair. However, I realized that even if the pace of change isn't as rapid as in the environments surrounding cars or mobile phones, people's lifestyles are gradually evolving. At that moment, the fog cleared, and I felt I could take the first step towards creating this chair.

—What led to you being commissioned for the Arflex design?


About two years ago, someone from Arflex's product planning department gently invited me to "try doing something together." I recall it wasn't about starting development immediately, but more about beginning a dialogue to understand each other. I remember being invited to their experiential showroom facility (Note: Casa Mia Lake Kawaguchi) near Lake Kawaguchi, where we took our time to share various perspectives on what Arflex is, and the value of furniture needed today. It might have taken about a year just for that.

—What is the design concept for "JK"?


It might sound like a very universal statement, but it's "easy to use and beautiful." We've statically resolved issues within a beautiful wooden form, allowing it to seamlessly integrate into contemporary living environments and housing situations.

For example, the iconic A-frame half-armrest configuration is designed so that the arms are less obstructive in compact urban dining spaces, making it easy to get in and out of the chair, while still offering the comfort of an armchair. There's also a reason why the backrest is lower the closer it is to the table.
Observing modern homes where the living, dining, and kitchen areas flow into one large space, I felt a lower chair would be better for the dining area, which is often in a central position, so as not to obstruct or divide the space. Features like the removable seat cover, which can be replaced if soiled by children, are also part of this. We've meticulously considered contemporary living down to the smallest details to design a wooden chair that we want people to use now.

Creating a New "Universal" Aesthetic Without Compromising Wood Grain Beauty

—What were the challenges in design and actual production?


The biggest challenge was to create a comfortable seating experience while maintaining a slender and lightweight wooden chair. We repeatedly verified the feel of the backrest and the detailed shape of the armrests with the engineers, down to 0.5mm increments, ultimately achieving a high level of comfort.


—Could you highlight the design and production (craftsmanship) aspects?


The organic curves on the armrests, which are frequently touched by hand, and the backrest, which is held when pulling the chair out. These curved shapes are carved from large pieces of solid wood, realized through the fusion of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge processing technology.

Jin Kuramoto
Born in 1976 on Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture. After graduating from Kanazawa College of Art and Craft and working for an electronics manufacturer, he established JIN KURAMOTO STUDIO in 2008. He provides design services for product development, including furniture, home appliances, and daily goods, for clients both domestically and internationally. He has received numerous awards, including the iF Design Award and the Good Design Award.
http://www.jinkuramoto.com/
Arflex Japan
0120-33-1951
http://www.arflex.co.jp