kazuya koike applies textile-dyeing technique to plywood seating series

kazuya koike applies textile-dyeing technique to plywood seating series
image © kenta hasegawa

japan-based product designer kazuya koike has produced ‘decresc series’, a seating object collection for the material design exhibition held at material connexion tokyo during tokyo design week. the aim of the exhibition was to create and add new values to materials through the collaboration between the producer of the medium and the product designer. in this case, kazuya koike joined forces with gisen co. ltd, a textile-processing company that produces dyed synthetic fabrics. 

kazuya koike joined forces with gisen co. ltd, a textile-processing company that produces dyed synthetic fabrics
image © kenta hasegawa

the ‘decresc series’ was all about applying the textile dyeing technique to the plywood. by treating the material with this process, first bleach and then coloring, the tone of the wood was blended with the applied color while the curly grain remained visible. the designer requested groups of sliced-wood cut into strips and dyed that were later assembled together by being pasted into the veneer. the result was a unique plywood with bright gradiating colors. 

the tone of the wood was blended with the applied color while the curly grain remained visible
image © kenta hasegawa

maple tree wood was chosen to produce this simple and sophisticated chair and stool in order to make the dyeing more visible thanks to its original light tone. after the experimentation and the obtained results, the conclusion of this participation was that if the processes was fully established, it would be possible to produce various kinds of unique colored plywood.

the result is a unique plywood with bright gradiating colors 
image © kenta hasegawa

material design exhibition held at material connexion tokyo

the exhibition paired up designers with material producers to add new values to the products

detail of the ‘decresc series’

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.