Survey 02
Timeless
CHANGE
Timeless
CHANGE
Survey 02: TIMELESS CHANGE
The word 'timeless' has become a buzzword in the design industry-a marketing term used to position a specific style of design as the embodiment of "ultimate and lasting beauty." However, we believe"timeless' isn't a fixed visual aesthetic that can be designed. As humans, we grow. Our families, friends, needs, cultures, countries, tastes, and goals are in a constant state of flux. And that's not just natural-it's wonderful.We believe that good products-those made with honest materials and thoughtful care-should not resist time, but live with it. They should fade, adapt, decompose, and evolve, echoing the lives they accompany. If something is to be truly timeless, it must have the capacity to change.
Together with our researchers, KARIMOKU RESEARCH examines the idea of time-not as a fixed measure, but as a shifting lens through which we perceive the world. In this ongoing exploration, we reconsider what it means to be 'timeless' in an ever-changing reality, where permanence is found not in stillness, but in the ability to evolve.
Together with our researchers, KARIMOKU RESEARCH examines the idea of time-not as a fixed measure, but as a shifting lens through which we perceive the world. In this ongoing exploration, we reconsider what it means to be 'timeless' in an ever-changing reality, where permanence is found not in stillness, but in the ability to evolve.
Main exhibit
STAKKO CHUNKS & BLOCKS
Great products are born from honest materials and a careful attention to detail. They adapt and change over time, rather than fight against it. Fading, decomposing, evolving—this process of aging creates an intrinsic value, one that resonates with the distinctive rhythm of its owner. These products are insync with our lives, or as Postalco likes to say, they are our “silent supporters.” They exist alongside us, in harmony with our movements, quietly accompanying our daily lives, and naturally shifting through ebbs and flows.
The exhibition will feature an entirely new modular design system conceived by Postalco and produced by Karimoku Furniture, alongside spatial and interior designs that showcase its functionality and beauty.
"A room should not be fixed, should not create a static mood, but should lend itself to change so that its occupants may play upon it as they would upon a piano." This quote from architect, thinker and inventor Buckminster Fuller, pose a fundamental question about the nature of space. Using this thought as a starting point, the project began by exploring ideal forms of furniture and space. How can we create spaces that will be cherished with longevity and continue to support us, even as our lives change over time?
The concept of stacking was realized when it was overlaid with the shifting nature of our day-to-day lives, and was brought to life using the technology and experience of Karimoku Furniture. Wood and natural materials were used in the construction of the furniture system, and the exhibition features six separate spaces, each designed to showcase texture, richness, and harmony. Each space showcases a glimpse into different lifestyles, imagined through the human-centric design of researcher Postalco, and physically brought to life through the technology and technique of Karimoku Furniture.
"A room should not be fixed, should not create a static mood, but should lend itself to change so that its occupants may play upon it as they would upon a piano." This quote from architect, thinker and inventor Buckminster Fuller, pose a fundamental question about the nature of space. Using this thought as a starting point, the project began by exploring ideal forms of furniture and space. How can we create spaces that will be cherished with longevity and continue to support us, even as our lives change over time?
The concept of stacking was realized when it was overlaid with the shifting nature of our day-to-day lives, and was brought to life using the technology and experience of Karimoku Furniture. Wood and natural materials were used in the construction of the furniture system, and the exhibition features six separate spaces, each designed to showcase texture, richness, and harmony. Each space showcases a glimpse into different lifestyles, imagined through the human-centric design of researcher Postalco, and physically brought to life through the technology and technique of Karimoku Furniture.
MAIN EXHIBITION:
STAKKO Chunks & Blocks
DESIGNER:
PostalCo Design Studio
VENUE:
THE ARCHIVE
EXHIBITION DATES:
2025. 04. 26 - 2025. 08. 08
Closed Sat/Sun
*Special opening on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27
*Closed from Saturday, May 3 to Tuesday, May 6
STAKKO Chunks & Blocks
DESIGNER:
PostalCo Design Studio
VENUE:
THE ARCHIVE
EXHIBITION DATES:
2025. 04. 26 - 2025. 08. 08
Closed Sat/Sun
*Special opening on Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27
*Closed from Saturday, May 3 to Tuesday, May 6
Main exhibit
STAKKO CHUNKS & BLOCKS
news + Updates
Introducing Survey 02: TIMELESS CHANGE
We are pleased to announce our third Survey, “Survey 02 : TIMELESS CHANGE”—to be showcased in the KARIMOKU RESEARCH CENTER from April 26, 2025.
This time we welcome researcher and Tokyo-based design studio, Postalco, to present their exhibition “STAKKO Chunks & Blocks” in THE ARCHIVE on the first floor. Postalco will examine the concept of ‘timeless’, viewing it not as a constant, but as a need for adaption, in a life full of constant change.
Concurrently, on the basement floor, photographer Hideaki Hamada will present “resemblance of time”—a multimedia exhibition that will transform THE STUDY into a sensory experience where perceptions of time and space intersect.
Press release
Introducing Survey 01: NEW TRADITION
What is tradition? The concept has been increasingly in the spotlight in arts and culture. But what makes a tradition a tradition? Why does it matter to us? With a new theme, [Survey 01: NEW TRADITION], KARIMOKU RESEARCH explores its relationship with innovation in an attempt to unravel its true self and potential for a new value, vision - and even a room to break with tradition for what could be seen as a new tradition by future generations - while honoring the legacy.
Led by Los Angeles-based design studio WAKA WAKA and New York-based Lichen.
Website
KARI KARI MOKU MOKU WAKA WAKA: Opening Event
Exhibition “KARI KARI MOKU MOKU WAKA WAKA” The first day of the public opening will include a talk event. Shinichiro Okuda of WAKA WAKA and Hiroshi Kato of Karimoku Furniture will discuss the exhibition covering topics such as the collaborative process, material selection, and production techniques.
Please check the details below and register as early as possible.
Apply here
THE ARCHIVE: THE AGE OF WOOD
This fall Copenhagen based duo Christian+Jade will exhibit "The Age of Wood" inside KARIMOKU RESEARCH CENTER's archive space. This survey examines how wood has been a cornerstone of human craftsmanship for centuries, embodying a unique blend of tradition and innovation. Open to the public Oct. 26th, 2024.
Website
KARIMOKU RESEARCH CENTER OPENING
The KARIMOKU RESEARCH CENTER opened its doors to the public on Saturday, 26 October 2024, in Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo. Housed in a renovated three-story building, each floor serves a distinct function. As a whole, the space is intentionally designed to foster collaboration, learning, and physical interaction, whether it’s getting hands-on with pre-production prototypes or browsing the extensive materials library.
Discover
MATERIALS LAB: CAP CHAIR
CAP chair, a wooden chair with a swivel mechanism, is the result of a collaboration between TORAFU ARCHITECTS and Karimoku. Not only does it bring a homey comfort to the office, but its compact movement is perfectly suitable for a home workspace. With colorful back panels and seat fabrics, CAP is a work chair that offers a variety of fun color combinations.
Make A Reservation
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Survey Archive
Visit
Karimoku
Research
Center
Research
Center
1F
THE ARCHIVE
An exhibition space filled with natural light thanks to the floor to ceiling windows. Built to house and showcase our surveys; THE ARCHIVE is constantly evolving with new faces, new ideas, and new exhibitions.
2F
THE MATERIALS LAB
This floor features a rich catalog of wood, materials, manufacturing techniques and designs. A collaborative space made to dream up new combinations of materials and ideas in a hands-on setting.
B1F
THE STUDY
A multi-functional hall and lounge space that’s perfect for seminars and events. Filled with Karimoku furniture, THE STUDY accommodates approximately 60 people and features a massive 200-inch screen, a fully-equipped kitchen, and 5m ceilings.
OPENING TIMES:
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Monday to Friday and National Holidays
Closed Sat/Sun
ADDRESS:
2-chōme-24-2 Nishiazabu, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 106-0031
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Monday to Friday and National Holidays
Closed Sat/Sun
ADDRESS:
2-chōme-24-2 Nishiazabu, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 106-0031
THE MATERIALS LAB requires prior reservation. Plan your visit using the link.
Make a reservation
OPENING TIMES:
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Monday to Friday and National Holidays
Closed Sat/Sun
ADDRESS:
2-chōme-24-2 Nishiazabu, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 106-0031
12:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Monday to Friday and National Holidays
Closed Sat/Sun
ADDRESS:
2-chōme-24-2 Nishiazabu, Minato-Ku, Tokyo 106-0031
THE MATERIALS LAB requires prior reservation. Plan your visit using the link.
Make a reservation
KARIMOKU RESEARCH CENTER GALLERY
