kengo kuma unveils ‘furniture that blends into the surroundings’ at time & style amsterdam

to mark their long-standing collaborative relationship, time & style and kengo kuma will present the ‘furniture that blends into the surroundings’ exhibition in the manufacturer’s showroom in amsterdam, the netherlands. from june 22nd to august 18th, 2019, visitors will be able to explore all the products designed by the architect and produced by the company over the past 10 years. the event will also be celebrated with a presentation speech from kuma himself on friday july 26th (6pm – 7pm), giving a more detailed insight into the pieces.

the GC chair was designed by the architect kengo kuma for the prostho museum research centre in japan

all images courtesy of time & style

like many famous architects of the past, when kengo kuma embarks upon an architectural project he also strives to design the furniture that will occupy spaces that he designs. since 2009, time & style has been working with kengo kuma and associates to produce the minimal yet elegant pieces to perfectly complement the buildings conceived by the architect. from chairs and sofas to coffee tables, the new exhibition will showcase the wide range of products created over the past 10 years.

kengo kuma and associates and time & style have collaborated since 2009

in his furniture design, kuma focuses on bringing a combination of design, functionality and durability. with the architect’s background in mind, the pieces also explore and reinterpret traditional japanese skills and lifestyles, while still forming a pared back and contemporary aesthetic. ‘I also want tables and chairs to be light and delicate. such elegant pieces are content to play a supporting role and never attempt to steal the spotlight. the starring roles are performed by our human bodies or by the food or drinks we place on the table. to respect and complement these living entities, I want furniture to be as understated as possible,’ comments kuma.

the GC chair is elegant and delicate

the commercialization of the KA sofa was first started by a custom-order sofa produced for the wuxi vanke art gallery, designed by kengo kuma in china

the KA sofa

the MA sofa in the private house owned by the whitestone gallery in japan, designed by kengo kuma

the MA sofa

in his furniture design, kuma focuses on bringing a combination of design, functionality and durability

the minimal yet elegant pieces perfectly complement the buildings conceived by the architect

from chairs and sofas to coffee tables, the new exhibition will showcase all the furniture created over the past 10 years

kuma’s furniture also reinterprets traditional japanese craft

exhibition info:

name: ‘furniture that blends into the surroundings’

location: time & style, marnixstraat 148, 1016 TE amsterdam, netherlands

design: kengo kuma for time & style amsterdam

dates: from june 22nd to august 18th 2019, with a presentation speech on friday july 26th (6pm – 7pm)