rui pereira & ryosuke fukusada translate kyoto roof tiles into handcrafted clay pieces

Rui Pereira & Ryosuke Fukusada draw from Japanese tradition

KAWARA OBJECTS is a collection of ceramic pieces that reinterpret traditional roof tiles by Rui Pereira and Ryosuke Fukusada. Crafted at Kyogawara Masahisa Asada’s historic Kyoto workshop, the collection is named after roof tiles (kawara is the Japanese word for roof tiles) and includes a table lamp, wall sconces, and a coffee table. All pieces incorporate elements of the centuries-old Kyo-Gawara tile-making process, are handcrafted using clay, and are shaped through press molding and rolling techniques. Being fired in a butane gas kiln, the final smoking process gives them their distinct metallic finish.

all images courtesy of Rui Pereira and Ryosuke Fukusada, unless stated otherwise

KAWARA OBJECTS collection features handcrafted clay pieces

The table lamp from Rui Pereira and Ryosuke Fukusada’s KAWARA OBJECTS features a cylindrical base with two cutouts for the light source, topped with a concave shade that echoes the form of roof tiles. A sculptural eye detail from the workshop inspired the design of the wall sconces, crafted on concave ceramic sheets and carefully filled and molded for precision. The coffee table consists of a base formed from four interconnected tiles supporting a flat ceramic disk. Kyoto’s tile-making tradition spans over 1,400 years, with its origins traced back to the 6th or 7th century. The tiles, known for their deep metallic shine, have long been a part of the city’s architectural heritage. The Portuguese and the Japanese industrial designers honor this legacy by collaborating with skilled artisans while introducing it to contemporary product design.

a bent surface leg and a flat circular top form the coffee table

the objects were exhibited at ALCOVA Milano 2024 | image by Yuta Sawamura

crafted at Kyogawara Masahisa Asada’s historic Kyoto workshop | image by Yuta Sawamura

gargoyle-inspired eye shapes allow light to pass through from the back

without the use of glaze, a meticulous polishing and firing process leads to the metallic finish

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the traditional Oni-Gawara (gargoyle) serves as the inspiration for the new wall lamp

Masahisa Asada refines the surface of the table lamp using a knife in his workshop

prototype of a small-scale roof tile by craftsman Masahisa Asada

wooden mold for traditional roof tiles, repurposed as a new side table and table lamp design

project info:

name: KAWARA OBJECTS
designers : Rui Pereira | @rui.pereira_/ & Ryosuke Fukusada | @ryosukefukusada

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.

edited by: thomai tsimpou | designboom