In this day and age, the way we live is evolving faster than ever, with rapid advancements in technology, a growing focus on sustainability, and shifting lifestyles reshaping how we design our spaces and interact with the objects around us. It’s never been more important to consider how design can adapt to these fast-moving changes.
Recognizing this, Karimoku Furniture, Japan’s leading wooden furniture manufacturer with over 80 years of craftsmanship, has launched Karimoku Research. This forward-thinking initiative seeks to explore new ways of living by surveying, archiving, and innovating how people live. Through collaborations with global creatives, Karimoku Research reimagines the role of design in everyday life. With the opening of the Karimoku Research Center in Tokyo, the brand blends its rich woodworking heritage with fresh, boundary-pushing ideas to spark dialogue and create meaningful designs for the future.
The debut survey, Survey 00: WOOD, highlights Karimoku Research’s commitment to rethinking the role of wood in contemporary design and sustainability. Curated in collaboration with Copenhagen- and Singapore-based design studio Christian+Jade, The Age of Wood exhibition builds on their previous exploration of wood’s materiality, first showcased during 3daysofdesign 2023. Expanding their research to Japanese forests, Christian+Jade present a series of artistic objects and sculptures that celebrate the beauty, diversity, and aging process of Japanese wood. Through the display of various wood specimens in different stages of weathering, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on time, transformation, and the evolving relationship between humans and natural materials.
“The forest bears witness. To a time before us, stretching into a future beyond us. The tree grows in layers around dead cells of heartwood, their structure and spine-it stands on the shoulders of yesterday. In an era where many of us are losing access to or pining for a more meaningful connection to nature, The Age of Wood seeks to investigate ideas of age, time, and patina in the context of Japanese woodland. Alongside Karimoku, Christian+Jade chisel out a new vision for timelessness, as human beings, stewards, and formgivers.” – Christian+Jade
“In this library of trees, you’ll meet 63 unique species, gathered by Karimoku from Japan’s diverse landscapes. Each tray holds a piece of their story – a leaf, a seed, and a part of their body. All introductions to a variety of different characters and personalities that will transform the way you see wood and its trees.” – Christian+Jade
The exhibition was hosted at the new Karimoku Research Center, a dynamic space designed by Tokyo-based architect Keiji Ashizawa to foster exploration and collaboration. Housed in a renovated three-story building in Tokyo, the center is thoughtfully divided into distinct areas, each with a unique purpose. The first floor, known as ‘The Archive,’ functions as a gallery space for exhibitions like The Age of Wood. The second floor features the ‘Materials Lab,’ a hands-on space for seminars and workshops where visitors can explore material samples. Finally, the third floor, called ‘The Study,’ is dedicated to in-depth discussions and ideation. With these spaces, the Karimoku Research Center provides an immersive experience that invites visitors to engage with prototypes, materials, and design concepts.
Looking ahead, Karimoku Research will continue its mission of creative exploration, with upcoming collaborations featuring Los Angeles-based studio Waka Waka and New York City’s Lichen.
“The folding screen traces this story across ancient times to the early Edo period, through the Meiji era, and into modern and contemporary periods, introducing key events that characterize each era while highlighting six types of wood that have played prominent roles throughout time.” – Christian+Jade
Christian Hammer Juhl and Jade Chan of Christian+Jade
Christian Hammer Juhl and Jade Chan of Christian+Jade
To learn more about the January 2025 exhibitions and beyond, visit karimoku-research.com.
