Sato Kiyomatsu Shoten has been undertaking the Urushi (Japanese lacquer) business for over 100 years.

 

"What is the appropriate design for the new studio of Sato Kiyomatsu Shoten where they develop and produce Urushi products and conduct experiments to explore new possibilities of Urushi?"

 

This was the question I kept asking myself as I worked on the design for this project.

 

The new studio has a minimal spatial layout and design that allows the client to update the space step by step as needed to accommodate the future development of their business and any activities that are unknown at this moment. I focused on using materials and colors closely related to Urushi craftsmanship and Sato Kiyomatsu Shoten and planted some small detailed designs in the space here and there so that the visitors could intuitively feel Urushi and naturally tell the story of Urushi where rich conversations could occur. Thus, the space is efficiently organized to meet the required functions, while incorporating as many original items as possible that were designed and engineered specifically for this space, rather than ready-made products.

 

The finishing materials are a mixture of old and new keeping practicality. They all respect the philosophy of Sato Kiyomatsu Shoten: “Tradition and Innovation” and express the idea of the Japanese idiom ”Onko-Chishin", which means “discovering new things by studying the past.”

 

While the overall design is minimal and modern, I endeavored to have a good balance appropriate for a space that handles traditional Urushi and its historic craftsmanship by incorporating traditional Japanese design elements in the details and materials.