A design group researching Windsor chairs. The fourth research presentation | EXHIBITION

What is the

The "Windsor Department 04" Exhibition: Reimagining Chair Research

The Windsor chair: a familiar sight, a comfortable seat. Born in England in the late 17th century, it has become an anonymous yet ubiquitous piece in everyday life. The group researching this chair is called "Windsor Department." Their fourth research presentation is currently on display at gallery 5610 in Minami-Aoyama, Tokyo, until June 18 (Saturday).

Text by Satsuki Wakabayashi

New Insights from Three Designers Meet the Archives

"Windsor Department" is a design group comprising three leading figures in product design: Taiji Fujimori, INODA+SVEJE, and DRILL DESIGN. Captivated by the form and essence of the Windsor chair, they formed the group to explore the fundamental question: What exactly is this chair?

Through multifaceted explorations by these three entities, they derived the "essence of Windsor." In 2011, they had the opportunity to create and present new chair prototypes. This fourth presentation showcases evolved Windsor chairs, tracing the trajectory of their accumulated thought by exhibiting works from the past three presentations alongside new pieces.

This exhibition pays homage to a beloved chair of the past, presenting research findings not through words but through form, showcasing the designers' skill. We encourage you to experience its creative energy firsthand.

"Windsor Department 04"
Dates: Friday, June 10 – Saturday, June 18, 2016

Hours: 11:00 – 18:00

Venue: gallery 5610

5-6-10 Minami-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo

http://windsordepartment.com/

Taiji Fujimori
After graduating from the Department of Design at Tokyo Zokei University in 1991, he apprenticed with furniture designer Kōrō Ōhashi. From 1992, he worked at the architectural design studio of Itsuko Hasegawa. In 1999, he established Taiji Fujimori Atelier. Primarily focusing on furniture design, he has also collaborated extensively with architects and undertaken spatial design projects. In recent years, his work has spanned a wide range, from products for high-end brands to office furniture and furniture for elementary and junior high school children's after-school programs, proposing new possibilities for furniture design that transcend scale and domain. He has received numerous awards, including the Good Design Special Award.

www.taiji-fujimori.com

INODA+SVEJE
A design team formed by Kyoko Inoda and Nils Sveje, who hails from Aarhus, Denmark. Inoda moved to Italy in 1996 to study architectural design in Milan. Sveje graduated from the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and then moved to Italy, where he worked at Stefano Giovannoni Design before joining the IPU Development Institute in Copenhagen. They formed Inoda+Sveje in Copenhagen in 2000. In 2003, they relocated their base to Milan and have since been involved in product design for furniture, medical devices, speakers, and more. They have received numerous awards, including the iF Design Award Gold, Good Design Award, and the Grand Prize at the Seoul Cycle Design Competition.

http://www.inodasveje.com

DRILL DESIGN
A design studio founded in 2001 by Yusuke Hayashi and Yoko Anzai. They engage in design and direction across various categories, including product design, graphics, packaging, and spatial design. With the philosophy that design is not merely an objective but a means to create the future, they explore new possibilities that emerge from their creative work. Their notable projects include Paper-Wood [2009-], geografia [2008-], VILLAGE series [2011-], and CAMPER for hands [2013]. They have received accolades such as the Good Design Special Award, Red Dot Design Award, German Design Award Nominate, and Package Design Award Silver.

http://www.drill-design.com