25,000 pieces of flawed pottery line the floors of the Maruhiro flagship store in Japan – and it’s safe to say there’s not another design like it anywhere in the world.
August 19th, 2015
Photos: Takumi Ota
Maruhiro is a leading producer of Hasami ceramics in Nagasaki prefecture, an area with a history of ceramic tableware production and wholesale distribution dating back to the early 17th century.
For the renovation of their pre-existing flagship store, the company wanted to create a ‘special place’ that could exist only in the historical location of Hasami (the town where Hasami ceramics get their name).
They enlisted the help of designer Yusuke Seki to drive this site-specific concept.
The designer sought to amplify the Hasami heritage through the construction of a stacked platform made from 25,000 pieces of ‘imperfect pottery’ and poured concrete. The pieces of pottery were sourced locally from numerous factories in the area with each piece, called ‘Shinikiji’ in Japanese, found to be flawed after the initial bisque-firing process.
By ‘reviving’ or upcycling the pieces for use as a new architectural material just for the occasion, Seki has given newfound value to these products. At the same time, the stacked platform itself serves as a symbol of “Monohara”, the kiln site-specific areas where these items are disposed. These areas exist solely in Nagasaki, which have accrued these imperfect pieces of pottery for approximately 400 years.
The project not only creates a one-of-a-kind retail experience through the marriage of architectural knowledge and artisanal know-how, but also promotes a sense of reverence for the history of Hasami ceramic making.
Yusuke Seki
yusukeseki.com
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
The Sub-Zero Wolf showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne provide a creative experience unlike any other. Now showcasing all-new product ranges, the showrooms present a unique perspective on the future of kitchens, homes and lifestyles.
Suitable for applications ranging from schools and retail outlets to computer rooms and X-ray suites, Palettone comes in two varieties and a choice of more than fifty colours.
Marylou Cafaro’s first trendjournal sparked a powerful, decades-long movement in joinery designs and finishes which eventually saw Australian design develop its independence and characteristic style. Now, polytec offers all-new insights into the future of Australian design.
In the pursuit of an uplifting synergy between the inner world and the surrounding environment, internationally acclaimed Interior Architect and Designer Lorena Gaxiola transform the vibration of the auspicious number ‘8’ into mesmerising artistry alongside the Feltex design team, brought to you by GH Commercial.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
From the trailblazer of Spanish industrial design comes a new collection of recycled rugs – a powerful exploration of the concept of waste, a keen celebration of imperfection, and a new underfoot symbol of responsible design.
By adding Muuto to its roster as Singapore’s only retailer, XTRA not only celebrates the enduring appeal of Scandinavian design – it heralds a whole new perspective on its universally appealing legacy.