ryuji nakamura: pond

‘pond’ by ryuji nakamura and associates in tokyo, japan
images courtesy of ryuji nakamura and associates

japanese firm ryuji nakamura & associates has collaborated with suzanne oxenaar to create ‘pond’,
a temporary installation at the tokyo llove hotel in japan. deceptive and limitless in its arrangement,
the organic, tactile space looks to support a range of possible interactions between both individuals and
groups of people.

(left) view looking over the top of the ‘pond’
(right) visitor sleeping underneath

polyurethane string was suspended in tension from one end of the 37m2 room to the other in a repetitious
parallel fashion creating a raised and seemingly constricting horizontal plane. due to the threads inherent
elastic quality, the installation is both malleable and responsive, adapting to the changes habits and needs
of each transient visitor.

underside

the translucency of the string creates an ephemeral and tranquil atmosphere that engulfs each visitor.
as a unit, the strings serve as a horizontal room divider filtering light between the upper and lower half of the space.
contrasting in function and environment, the tensile arrangement separates private and communal activities,
providing dwellers with a discrete place to nap and a diverse surface for eating and playing games.

visitors can easily manipulate the polyurethane strings

designboom stayed in the ‘pond’ room at the tokyo LLove hotel during tokyo design week 2010.
take a look at other installations situated within rooms 302, 306 and 307.

visitor interacting with the strings

being used as a tabletop

view of the ‘pond’ from below

using the strings a tabletop for a game of cards

the flexible strings conform to the inhabitants, separating to accommodate their presence