SAGYO Desk

Keiji Ashizawa Design is an architecture and product design studio based in Tokyo, Japan. Formed in 2005 by Keiji Ashizawa, the studio is comprised of both architects and designers, all bringing unique skills to the team. Through logical thinking and open-mindedness, the studio presents works of ‘honest’ design — simple, thoughtful and refined — derived naturally through the process of maximizing the potential of each material. The work of the studio is based on the notion that the sharing of experiences is essential to the creative process, exercised through collaboration on many levels: internally amongst the designers, and in maintaining relationships with clients and other creative professionals to grow, learn and form an evolving dialogue of thought. After graduating from Yokohama National University in 1996, Keiji spent the first ten years of his career working as both an architect and steel fabricator. The unique skills and experience gained throughout these early years, including a valued understanding of materials, continue to influence his approach to design.

Ariake is a furniture brand founded by Legnatec and Hirata Chair, two factories from the furniture producing town of Morodomi in Saga prefecture, Japan. Named after the Ariake Sea in Southern Japan, Ariake means daybreak in Japanese. It symbolizes a new chapter for the two factories as they embark on a collaboration with international designers for the global market. It is our belief that strong working relationships are the foundation of good products. Furniture is made for social situations where people live, work and eat together. The creation of the Ariake brand and furniture designs were done over two intensive workshops in Morodomi where furniture designers, art director, photographer and craftsmen did the same – we lived, worked and ate together over. Despite language barriers, the designers and craftsmen generated a collective energy and mutual trust that helped define the soul of the brand. This resulted in a collection of furniture that utilizes the best of hand and machine, inspired by the spirituality of Japanese culture and urban living contexts. We present to you a 30-piece collection made from oak, ash, hinoki, cedar, leather, paper cord, cotton canvas, upholstery and unique finishes such as sumi and indigo dye. Each piece is crafted in Morodomi, with furniture designs by Anderssen & Voll, Gabriel Tan, Keiji Ashizawa, Norm Architects, Note Design Studio, Shin Azumi, Staffan Holm, Zoe Mowat, Studio MK27, Photography Sebastian Stadler, Art Direction by AnnerPerrin.