Event:  Technology Meets Tradition in collaboration with TOTO for Clerkenwell Design

When:   21st-31st August 2024 

Where:  TOTO Showcase Showroom, Central London

360 Design Consultants Ltd were delighted to once again visit CIPANGO to view and discuss their amazing hand crafted Japanese artisan products.

Technology Meets Tradition at TOTO in Clerkenwell showcases the versatility, craftsmanship, and transformative potential of CIPANGO products through its cutting-edge interior design and architectural applications.

CIPANGO is a representative of a select group of traditional Japanese arts & crafts studios who have reinterpreted their ancient techniques to meet new modern applications. The CIPANGO collection on view at TOTO in Clerkenwell includes such highly-regarded artisanal works as Harigane woven metal; Youbi hinoki furniture; Tatinoya woven wood and Maruni woodblocks and paper work.

CIPANGO’s mission is to celebrate and help save these traditional techniques, skills and materials by introducing them to a new global audience and by demonstrating their versatility to the architectural and interior design communities. A site specific Tea House, designed by Squire & Partners architects, and a selection of specially curated wall hangings enable visitors to engage intimately with these specialist techniques.

CIPANGO is a niche social enterprise that matches architects, designers and other project professionals in the building, design and luxury industries with select artisans from Kyoto and other handcraft-rich regions.

HARIGANE:  Harigane metal mesh fabric represents a dynamic and innovative addition to interior design, offering a unique blend of functionality and aesthetic appeal. Crafted from fine metal wires intricately woven into a flexible mesh, using the traditional Nishijin technique of weaving – the creations are a type of post-modern alchemy. The mesh of micro threads diffuses a rainbow of light, shimmering and emitting different effects as light sources shift. This versatile material introduces a contemporary character into a wide variety of interiorinteriors and exteriors, treating the eye to a multidimensional visual experience.

YOUBI furniture:  Youbi wants to change Japanese furniture”, according to Masayuki Oshima, Youbi’s founder and a furniture craftsman. Youbi designs contemporary furniture - from stools and benches, to chairs and tables - all with a strong modern aesthetic and crafted from Japanese Hinoki or cypress trees, both native to central Japan. There is a Japanese government initiative ‘Nishiawakura 100 Year Forest Plan’ to manage the cypress sustainability. The mountainous region around the village of Nishiawakura, where Youbi is based, has been officially classified as the ““Environmental Model City” in Japan to lead the future of forestlands. In this region there has been overplanting and neglect, with ageing forest owners losing their motivation, mountains are not being properly managed. Times are now changing, and Youbi is pioneering this movement.

TATINOYA:  Tatinoya’s union of traditional weaving and wood has resulted in a beautiful and innovative material: ki-ori, or ““woven wood”; resulting in a lightweight, durable and pliable material that remains resistant to bending through the aid of a natural resin. Ki-ori carefully and respectfully preserves the original grain of the wood. This enchanting material is sewable, stable to surrounding climatic changes, water- and germ-resistant, enables 3D forms, and where possible, is generally sourced from leftover planks and veneers. Tatinoya has received a Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry award for this unique, innovative textile.

MARUNI:  Maruni, a century old atelier of paper mounters, also create striking woodblock prints and karakami (China paper), a natural-fibre paper hand printed with patterns which are pressed from carved magnolia blocks. Maruni artisans have developed their specialist printing techniques to create luminous, large scale works and unique wall prints for both residential and commercial projects.

On show at TOTO’s Technology Meets Tradition exhibition:

• Architectural Mesh Panels: architectural metal and wood mesh panels combine functionality with design versatility, allowing for the creation of facades, partitions, and space-defining elements. With a range of weave patterns, finishes, and customisation options available, these panels offer architects and designers limitless possibilities for transforming interior and exterior environments.

• Interactive Exhibits: The exhibit will feature interactive displays showcasing advanced techniques, material properties, and sustainability initiatives. Attendees will have the chance to engage with CIPANGO design experts and learn about the process behind creating custom solutions tailored to their specific project requirements.

• Design Collaborations: CIPANGO will highlight its collaborative project with a renowned architectural practice, demonstrating the versatility and adaptability of metal mesh fabric in the context of a Tea House. This collaboration exemplifies the capabilities of Harigane woven metal fabric and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity in the field of architectural and interior design surfaces.

• Sustainable Initiatives: As part of its ongoing commitment to sustainability, CIPANGO will showcase its manufacturers practices, reuse materials, and energy-efficient production methods. By prioritising environmental responsibility throughout their operations, CIPANGO companies aim to inspire positive change within the design industry and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Naoya Gomi, founder of CIPANGO says, “This exhibition promises to be a captivating exploration of the intersection between architecture, design, and technology, offering attendees a firsthand glimpse into the transformative potential of our different materials”.